New Delhi. India has expressed strong objection to US Vice President JD Vance calling H-1B visa holders bonded labourers. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said it was extremely disrespectful to use terminology that was reminiscent of a painful historical and colonial legacy. The Ministry of External Affairs also said that India's skilled and educated professionals contribute greatly to America's economy and innovation ecosystem. In fact, America's history itself is made up of generations of immigrants whose hard work, enterprise and innovation have contributed to its progress and prosperity, the MEA said.
Statement on announcement made by the US Department of Labor ⬇️ 🔗
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 9, 2026
On the US Labor Department's decision to suspend 8 companies including TCS, Wipro, Infosys, HCL from the Green Card related Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM), the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that the step taken by the US may harm the common interests of both the countries. In the statement issued by MEA, it has been made clear that talent mobility benefits the economies of both the countries. While it creates employment opportunities for Indians, it also helps American companies harness the best talent, innovation, research, productivity, competitiveness and create job opportunities, while also increasing shareholder wealth in the US. Therefore, this is a huge area of mutual benefit for both countries and we hope that everyone involved in this process will understand this.
The State Department said that the PERM and H-1B visa programs are separate from each other. The freeze on PERM applications does not affect the validity of existing H-1B visas or the status of H-1B visa holders and their dependents, although the permanent-residency and green card process for eligible employees of affected companies may be affected.