H1B visa issue won’t be sorted out in Donald Trump-Narendra Modi meet, says former Barack Obama advisor

"I recall when Modi called Obama, I was with him in the Oval office, but this has been done by the U.S. Congress. This time it is an issue where President Trump and his team apparently have strong feelings about immigration. Therefore, double hurdles exist," he said.

Washington, June 25: The H1B visa row, which has severely affected the prospects of Indian overseas workers in US, is unlikely to be resolved in the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra modi, claims Joshua White, the former top adviser of ex-President Barack Obama.

“I don’t think the H1B Visa issue will be resolved as it is a complex issue. I recall when Modi called Obama, I was with him in the Oval office, but this has been done by the U.S. Congress. This time it is an issue where President Trump and his team apparently have strong feelings about immigration. Therefore, double hurdles exist,” White said.

White asserted that Trump administration would exert more pressure on Pakistan to act against terror groups.

“It’s an important meeting as both leaders see themselves as ones who have a mandate to deal with terrorism. It will be interesting to see what the shape of the U.S. policy to Pakistan will look like, but I think the rhetoric will be stronger and tougher and there will be attempts to exert some U.S. pressure on Islamabad in ways we haven’t seen before,” he added.

When asked about the United States contemplating to approve India’s purchase of a Naval variant of the Predator drone, he said, “I don’t expect there will be other major defence deals, but if the Guardian drone deal goes through and is announced, then that will be a sort of a signal that both countries are taking their defence relationship seriously.”

Citing that the Lockheed-Tata deal, under which U.S. arms maker Lockheed Martin Corp. has agreed with Tata Advanced Systems to build F-16 fighters, was beneficial for India, he said, “This deal will help India create a strong industrial base. Lockheed will provide India a chance to assemble these planes and gain some technology experience, but also provide India the benefit of helping immigrants into the global supply chain for defence.”

White also said that the ties between the U.S. and China are set to become complex, in view of the latter’s inaction towards North Korea.

Earlier, Trump announced that he has important issues to discuss with his ‘true friend’ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ahead of Modi reaching Washington D.C. for a state visit, the President tweeted, “Look forward to welcoming India’s PM Modi to @WhiteHouse on Monday. Important strategic issues to discuss with a true friend!”

United States Senator Kamala Harris also welcomed Prime Minister Modi through a tweet.

“I welcome Indian PM @NarendraModi to the United States and reaffirm the unbreakable bonds between our two nations,” she tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi, who would be reaching Washington D.C. in a few hours, would be the first world leader to have a working dinner with Trump at the White House on Monday.

Speaking ahead of the visit, India’s Ambassador to the U.S. Navtej Sarna said that Prime Minister Modi and President Trump would discuss crucial issues such as counter-terrorism, security and cyber security.

The upcoming meeting, which is deemed to be one that can significantly strengthen bilateral relations between the two democracies, will also include an interactive session with the Indian-American community as well as 20-odd top CEOs in Washington.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said that he is expecting a very robust discussion to take place between the two leaders.

(With inputs from ANI)