NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday in New York, marking their first in-person discussion since former President Donald Trump implemented additional tariffs on India. The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The two leaders last convened in July during the 10th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Washington and also held talks earlier in January. Recently, the U.S. imposed significant tariffs of 50% on India, which included a 25% punitive charge related to purchases of Russian oil. The Trump administration also refrained from commenting on the recent defense treaty between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, hinting at a growing U.S. disregard for India’s concerns.
Additionally, Trump introduced a new presidential proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” which revises the H-1B visa program by imposing a substantial $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications. This change raises questions about its implications for the U.S. technology sector, potentially jeopardizing access to skilled talent.
The fee hike, which will take effect at 12:01 AM on September 21, 2025, is a dramatic increase from the current range of $2,000 to $5,000. This has raised alarms among immigration attorneys and businesses, advising H-1B visa holders or their families currently outside the U.S. to return as soon as possible to avoid being stranded. The increase could significantly affect startups, small enterprises, and Indian IT professionals, prompting widespread concern within these communities.
