Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has launched a scathing attack on the BJP government, specifically regarding the US’s decision to increase visa fees. He stated that the current administration has brought about an emergency situation in India’s foreign policy. According to Yadav, the government has been wholly unsuccessful in shielding the country from arbitrary tariffs and visa charges.
Yadav further claimed that the government has also been unable to protect Indian citizens abroad from violent attacks. He expressed his concerns in a post on social media platform X, criticizing the BJP’s handling of foreign affairs.
He pointed out the government’s failure to uphold India’s longstanding policy of non-alignment and maintain positive relationships with neighboring nations. Yadav also highlighted instances of Indian expatriates facing mistreatment, including instances of being handcuffed and publicly humiliated, with the government failing to intervene effectively to provide protection.
He expressed concern that on the matter of terrorism, no other nation has stood by India. Yadav believes the BJP government has completely disregarded the importance of a sound foreign policy.
Additionally, the Samajwadi Party leader criticized the central government’s handling of the increase in H1-B visa fees imposed by the US, a move anticipated to affect a large number of Indians.
He said, “Your foreign policy is failing on the international stage. Your economic policies are failing, and you have been unsuccessful in fostering positive relationships.”
He also took aim at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, accusing him of prioritizing weapons over education. Yadav suggested that relief for Indians in visa matters would only come with a change in government.
This follows the announcement by US President Donald Trump, who signed a declaration that would increase H-1B visa fees to $1,00,000 USD (approximately 88 lakh rupees) annually. This is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to tighten immigration rules, and it is likely to affect thousands of Indian professionals.
White House staff secretary Will Scharf asserted that the H-1B non-immigrant visa program is frequently misused. The rise in fees is designed to allow only highly skilled workers who operate in fields where US workers are not employed to enter the US.