America is a wonderful country that welcomes talented immigrants.
That’s what Nandan Nilekani, billionaire and co-founder of Infosys Technologies, would say to President Trump if he had the chance.
“If the United States really wants to remain internationally competitive, it should be open to foreign talent,” Nilekani told CNN’s Asia Business Forum in Bangalore.
infosys (Infee) is India’s second largest outsourcing company and a leading recipient of US H-1B visas. The document will allow tech companies to employ huge numbers of Indians in US jobs.
The Trump administration is currently considering significant changes to its visa program. Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in January that President Trump would continue to discuss things like reforming the H-1B program as part of a larger push for immigration reform.
Visa restrictions could hit Indian workers hardest.
India is the largest source of highly skilled labor for the US technology industry. According to US government data, 70% of her highly popular H-1B visas are passed to Indians.
Shares of several Indian tech companies, including Infosys, plunged dramatically two weeks ago amid reports of an impending work visa crackdown.
Related: Tech Industry Support for Trump’s Visa Reform
Nilekani said it was a mistake for the regime to comply.
“Indian companies have done a lot to make US companies more competitive, and I think that should continue,” said Nilekani. “If you look at Silicon Valley…most company founders are immigrants.”
India’s contribution to the industry has been enormous, especially at the top level. current CEO Google (goog) When microsoft (MSFTMore)for example, both were born in India.
RELATED: India surprised by US plans to change high-skilled visas
But Nilekani, who is also the architect of India’s ambitious biometric ID program, suggested India would ultimately benefit from the new restrictions put in place under Trump’s “America First” plan. If good engineers can’t go to the US, they stay in India.
“This visa issue happens all the time in the United States every few years, especially during the election season,” he said. [in India], because…people are investing more to do work here. ”
Nilekani cites his own project for the Indian government as an example.
The Bangalore-born entrepreneur left Infosys in 2009 to run India’s large social security program known as Aadhaar. As a result of this initiative, the majority of his 1.3 billion citizens in India have obtained biometric ID numbers that enable them to obtain government services, perform banking transactions and even make biometric payments. .
“It was built by very talented and enthusiastic Indians,” Nilekani said. “Many of them had global experience, but they brought their talent and experience to solve India’s problems.”
Nirekani said the vast number of young people in the country are increasingly choosing to stay home and participate in pitches.
“India first,” he said.
CNNMoney (Bangalore, India) First published February 13, 2017: 2:19 PM ET
