Prime Minister Narendra Modi responds to US President Donald Trump’s H-1B visa fee hike, stressing that India’s “biggest enemy” is dependence on other countries and urging Atmanirbharta.
Modi’s First Comment After H-1B Visa Fee Hike
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday delivered his first public response after US President Donald Trump announced a steep increase in H-1B visa fees to $100,000 (₹88 lakh) annually. Speaking at a rally in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, PM Modi called India’s “dependence on other countries” the nation’s biggest enemy and urged citizens to embrace Atmanirbharta (self-reliance).
Key Highlights
- Trump hikes H-1B visa fee from under $1,000 to $100,000.
- India accounts for 75% of H-1B visa holders.
- PM Modi stresses India’s “biggest enemy is dependence on other countries.”
- Calls for a stronger push toward Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- Criticises Congress for decades of import dependence and license-quota raj.
“Our Biggest Enemy Is Dependence”
Addressing a massive crowd, PM Modi said:
“Today, India is moving forward with the spirit of Vishwabandhu. We have no major enemy in the world. But if we do have one, it is our dependence on other countries. This is our biggest enemy, and together we must defeat this enemy of India.”
The remark came just hours after Washington confirmed the visa fee hike, which is expected to hit Indian IT professionals and technology companies the hardest. India accounts for nearly 75% of H-1B visa holders, many of whom work with top US tech giants.
Criticism of Congress-Era Policies
PM Modi also used the platform to highlight what he called the “missed opportunities” of the past, blaming the license-quota raj and Congress’ heavy dependence on imports for keeping India behind.
He said India’s growth potential was ignored for decades, stating:
- “Even after 6-7 decades of independence, India has not achieved the success it deserved.”
- “First, the country was trapped in license-quota raj. Then, during globalization, the only path chosen was imports.”
Modi reiterated that the path forward must be self-reliance, adding that India has no shortage of talent or potential.
Trump’s H-1B Visa Fee Shock
The Trump administration’s decision marks one of the sharpest policy shifts on immigration in recent years.
- The cost of an H-1B visa, earlier just under $1,000, will now rise to $100,000.
- The move is part of a larger crackdown aimed at preventing foreign tech workers from undercutting wages of US-born employees.
- Every year, the US grants 85,000 H-1B visas through a lottery system, with Indian applicants dominating the list.
The steep hike could heavily impact Indian tech workers and companies like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro that rely on skilled professionals traveling to the United States.
Summary
In his first reaction to Donald Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee hike, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to defeat the “enemy of dependence” and strive for self-reliance. Speaking in Gujarat, Modi said India must move beyond its history of license-quota raj and import dependency, positioning Atmanirbhar Bharat as the only sustainable path forward. The visa fee hike, however, poses a significant challenge for Indian professionals who make up the majority of H-1B recipients in the United States.