NEW DELHI: India on Friday said it was working with US authorities to reduce difficulties faced by Indian citizens over US visa policies after the Trump administration unveiled stricter rules that will prevent foreign students, exchange visitors and journalists from staying in the country indefinitely.
The US Department of Homeland Security announced on Thursday that it will begin implementing stricter rules starting next September to prevent foreign students from residing in the country for more than four years unless they obtain permission from the federal government.
“We have seen some reports regarding visa rules…Visa rules, visa functions and immigration matters are sovereign functions of any country,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said at a regular press briefing when asked about the changes outlined by the US Department of Homeland Security.
“But having said that, let me tell you that when there are issues of difficulty, which are brought to our attention, as far as true travelers are concerned [and] Students, among others, who seek support from us, we take [up] “These issues are with the American side to reduce the difficulties facing our people,” he said, without going into details.
Tightening visa rules for foreign students and exchange visitors will end a decades-old policy that allowed them to stay in the US indefinitely, and the move is expected to affect a large number of Indian citizens. The United States will also limit the ability of students to switch programs and transfer between universities. Under current rules, higher education institutions have the authority to grant visa extensions.
The US Department of Homeland Security said the changes are intended to combat “rampant visa abuse” and enhance national security through regular vetting. Foreign students on F-1 visas and J-1 exchange visas are admitted under “term status,” meaning they can remain in the United States for as long as it takes to complete their degrees. However, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullen claimed this allowed “thousands to abuse our immigration system by permanently enrolling in training courses to avoid having to leave the United States.”
Jaiswal responded to a separate question about bipartisan US senators unveiling a bill that seeks to use tariffs to pressure China and India to reduce their dependence on Russian energy, saying New Delhi was “following these developments closely.”
“We are aware of the proposed legislation, and that is what I have to say,” he said.
India insists that its energy procurement decisions are driven by market conditions and the need to ensure energy security for the country’s 1.4 billion people. Russia has emerged as one of the largest suppliers of crude oil over the past four years despite punitive measures imposed by the United States.
The new version of the bill, unveiled by US Senators this week, stipulates the imposition of a 100% tariff on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and natural gas.
