'Birthday wishes are not foreign policy successes': Owaisi slams Centre as Trump announces hike on H1B visa

'Birthday wishes are not foreign policy successes': Owaisi slams Centre as Trump announces hike on H1B visa

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has sharply criticised the Centre government after U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent decision to raise the fee for sponsoring H-1B visas, a move that disproportionately impacts Indian professionals, especially from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

“H1B visas have been a major source of opportunity and upward mobility for Indians,” Owaisi said. "Nearly 71–72% of all H1B visas go to Indians, with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana dominating the ecosystem. The average annual salary for Indian H1B holders is around $120,000, mostly in the tech sector. These earnings translate into significant remittances, contributing to India’s $125 billion inflow, with Andhra and Telangana accounting for 37% of NRI deposits," he posted on X.

1. Trump has essentially ended the #H1Bvisa system. Indians, and especially people from Telangana and Andhra were its biggest beneficiaries. How will this affect India and what does it say about Indian foreign policy? 👇

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2. 71–72% of all H1B visas go to Indians. Within India,…

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) September 20, 2025

Calling it a “closed door to intergenerational mobility,” Owaisi argued that the failure lies not with Trump but with India’s foreign policy. “Trump acted in his interest. My quarrel is with this government—what did Howdy Modi and Namaste Trump achieve?” he asked, adding that high-profile diaspora events and birthday greetings do not constitute diplomatic success.

The AIMIM leader said the move proves Washington does not view India as a trusted ally, despite calling it a strategic partner. He linked the visa decision to other recent U.S. actions, including steep tariffs, the Pakistan-U.S. trade deal, and Washington’s support for Pakistan-Saudi agreements, describing India as “increasingly isolated on the global stage.”

Owaisi urged India to accelerate de-dollarisation efforts, expanding rupee-based trade settlements beyond the 18 countries already engaged. He warned against “ceding an inch to Trump’s blackmail,” saying the government has sacrificed long-term gains for “domestic posturing.”

“2014–2024 has been a lost decade,” he said, stressing that ordinary Indians, not political leaders, bear the consequences of such failures.