On the last day of his US tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Ronald Reagan Center to address the Indian diaspora. People cheered with slogans of “Jai Bharat Mata” and “Vande Mataram.” Award-winning international singer Mary Milben then sang the Indian national anthem. In his address to the Indian diaspora, PM Modi said, “I can see people from every corner of Hindustan (India) here. It feels like Mini India has emerged in America. I congratulate you for showcasing a beautiful image of a great India in America.” He also praised US President Biden as an experienced and skilled leader with whom he had fruitful discussions over the past three days. However, what did the rounds in India was PM Modi's announcements on new H1B Visa rules.
The Prime Minister of India announced that H-1B visa renewals will now be possible in the United States itself, eliminating the need to travel back to India. PM Modi compared the conversation with the audience to a sweet dish he had enjoyed after a meal. Below is a compilation of key points of PM Modi's speech he delivered at the Ronald Reagan Center.
Key points from PM Modi’s speech:
1. India is the birthplace of democracy, and America is the champion of modern democracy. Today, the world is witnessing the partnership and strength of two great democracies.
2. India is opening a new consulate in Seattle this year, along with two more consulates in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru in the United States.
3. The decision to manufacture fighter jet engines in India will be a milestone for India’s defense sector. This agreement will also be shared with the U.S. Mutual Trust.
4. Google’s AI research center in India will work on over 100 Indian languages, making it easier for children who don’t speak English as their mother tongue to study.
5. With the support of the Indian government, the University of Houston will establish a Tamil Study Chair, promoting the influence of the world’s oldest language, Tamil.
6. Now, it’s time for “Make for World” alongside “Make in India.” This is the right time for maximum investment in India. Both countries are moving towards becoming stronger nations.
7. The U.S. government has decided to return more than 100 stolen ancient artifacts and items to India, which were smuggled into international markets years ago.
8. Wherever I go, people believe that this person is right. Verify the things, take them to the right place. I will take them to the right place.
PM Modi’s speech highlighted the strengthening partnership between India and the United States and emphasized the cultural, economic, and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
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What is H1B Visa?
Comiung back to PM Modi's announcement of new H1B Visa rule, let's understand what it is. What is H-1B visa? H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Notably, technology companies depend on H-1B visa, also dubbed work visa to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India.
What was the old H1B Visa renewal process?
As per reports, till the year 2004, there were categories of non-immigrant visas, particularly the H-1B, could be renewed or stamped inside the US. However, after 2004, non-immigrant visas including H-1B visa renewal included foreign tech workers having to go out of the country, mostly to their own country to get the H-1B extension stamped on their passport. For the unversed, the work visa or H-1B Visa are issued for three years at a time. When H-1B Visa holders' visas get renewed they need to get their passports stamped with renewal dates. It is pertinent to mention to mention here that till now H-1B visa restamping is not allowed within the US. Restamping can only be done at any US consulate. Not it will be worth seeing, how the new H1B visa rule will be enforced for Indians after PM Modi's history State visit.