01-06-2005, 09:04 PM
<b>US plans to increase H1B visas for Indians</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The United States is actively considering increasing the number of H1B visas for Indian workers, an Assocham statement said in New Delhi, quoting US Deputy Chief of Mission Robert O Blake.  Â
Blake was quoted as saying that outsourcing to India was 'unavoidable' as the latter had earned its place as the world's knowledge capital in the business process outsourcing sector.
"Several appeals were made by the US citizens to put a stop to outsourcing to India but were outright rejected as the US felt that outsourcing to India, the knowledge capital of the world in BPO sector, was unavoidable," he said.
Speaking at an interactive session organised by the industry body, he said the US was now thinking about increasing the number of H1B visas to Indian professionals.
"This decision is based on the fact that the US recognises India's contribution in the fields like accounts, software, engineering and law," he said.
Inviting closer cooperation between the small- and medium- sized companies of the US and India, he said, "Such technological advancements will be of great use to Indian small scale sector."
He said the fact that the US was sending several senators to India next week proves that the country was serious in boosting economic cooperation with India.
"This will give India an opportunity to showcase itself to an important legislative arm of the US government," he said.
India's imports from the US stood at $5 billion in 2003, while the exports to the US were valued at over $13 billion, it added. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
To increase quota it will take atleast one year, only if bill get passed in Senate. To my knowledge no such bill is drafted yet
Blake was quoted as saying that outsourcing to India was 'unavoidable' as the latter had earned its place as the world's knowledge capital in the business process outsourcing sector.
"Several appeals were made by the US citizens to put a stop to outsourcing to India but were outright rejected as the US felt that outsourcing to India, the knowledge capital of the world in BPO sector, was unavoidable," he said.
Speaking at an interactive session organised by the industry body, he said the US was now thinking about increasing the number of H1B visas to Indian professionals.
"This decision is based on the fact that the US recognises India's contribution in the fields like accounts, software, engineering and law," he said.
Inviting closer cooperation between the small- and medium- sized companies of the US and India, he said, "Such technological advancements will be of great use to Indian small scale sector."
He said the fact that the US was sending several senators to India next week proves that the country was serious in boosting economic cooperation with India.
"This will give India an opportunity to showcase itself to an important legislative arm of the US government," he said.
India's imports from the US stood at $5 billion in 2003, while the exports to the US were valued at over $13 billion, it added. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
To increase quota it will take atleast one year, only if bill get passed in Senate. To my knowledge no such bill is drafted yet