From H-1B to oil price, Congress sought answers from PM Modi ahead of Donald Trump visit
From H-1B to oil price, Congress sought answers from PM Modi ahead of Donald Trump visit
Congress leader Randeep Surjewala sought answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to five question on H-1B visas, national security, trade, oil prices and steel exports ahead of US President Donald Trump visit, which starts on Monday.
The Congress leader, who criticised the certral government in a series of tweets, began his attack with a question on H-1B visas that allows US firms to temporarily hire citizens of other nations.
"Trump Govt's restrictive immigration policies have hit H-1B visas. Indians get 70% of 85000 H-1B Visas. Now,Rejection Rate for India has increased from 6% in 2015 to 24% in 2019, esp. for IT professionals," he tweeted along with a video.
“Will PM Modi ask for easing H-1B visas?" he asked, making reference to PM Modi-President Trump geniality, which was conspicuous at the Howdy event last year.
The US-Taliban deal, which will be signed this month and has been commended by Russia as ‘important event for peace’, also figured in one of his tweets by the Congress leader as he raised concern about national security.
"US prepares to sign deal with Taliban on 29Feb. What about India's red lines! Have we forgotten IC814hijacking & release of terrorist Masood Azhar in Kandhar,who's JeM then attacked Parliament & Pulwama? As gala bash unfolds,Will Modiji raise our National Security concerns? (sic)" he wrote in another post.
Indian Airlines filght was hijacked on it way back to Delhi from Kathmandu on 24th December, 1999, with 180 passengers and crew member on board. It was one of the most darmatic hostage crisis the country has ever faced before 26/11.
Congress’ third question—will PM Modi "ensure restoration" of preferential trade treatment for India that allowed duty free entry for $5.6 billion worth of the country’s export to the US?
The general system of preferences (GSP) was abolished by the US. The Congress has been taking a dig at PM Modi over the issue. Earlier another Congress leader Anand Sharma stated, "This visit should not be reduced to a photo opportunity or a PR exercise that would devalue the importance of our partnership... that would also not be in India's national interest."
Amid strained relation between US and Iran, Randeep Surjewala also asked if PM Modi would be able to get cheaper oil for India.
In his last question, Randeep Surjewala asked, "@POTUS says America First, why is PM quiet on India First?". He mentioned Trump government's increase on import tariffs and subsequent effect on India's export of steal.
US President Donald Trump, accompanied by wife Melania, daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner, will land in Ahmedabad on Monday. From the airport, PM Modi will take him on a roadshow to the world's biggest cricket stadium in Motera.
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