India on Friday strongly criticised US Vice President JD Vance for referring to H-1B visa holders as "indentured servants", describing his comments as "unwarranted" and "deeply offensive". The reaction came as Washington suspended applications under a programme that enables major technology companies to sponsor foreign employees for permanent residency in the United States.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) defended Indian professionals employed in the US, highlighting their specialised skills and contributions to the American economy and innovation ecosystem. It also cautioned that the latest measures introduced by Washington could undermine the mutual economic interests of the two countries.
"Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive," the MEA said in a statement.
India's strong response followed Vance's support for the US Labour Department's decision to suspend the Permanent Labour Certification Programme, commonly known as PERM, for eight major IT companies. The firms include Microsoft, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro and HCL. Vance argued that these companies should recruit "great American workers" rather than replace them with "foreign indentured servants".
WHY THE 'INDENTURED SERVANTS' REMARK SPARKED AN OUTCRY
The US Vice President's description has drawn criticism because of its historical associations and the conditions endured by indentured labourers. Such workers were contractually obligated to serve an employer for a fixed period, often in return for passage to another country, repayment of debts or other commitments. Many were subjected to harsh working conditions and had little freedom under exploitative arrangements.
The phrase carries particular significance in India's history. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, hundreds of thousands of Indians were sent to British colonies and other territories as indentured labourers. Many were recruited to work on plantations in destinations including Mauritius, Fiji, the Caribbean and South Africa.
Responding to Vance's remarks, the MEA rejected his description of Indian professionals and highlighted the value they bring to the American economy.
India also referred to the United States' own history, pointing out that generations of immigrants had contributed to the country's prosperity through their work, entrepreneurship and innovation.
The government stressed that the movement of skilled workers across borders benefits both countries, rather than only Indians seeking employment opportunities overseas.
"While it creates opportunities for Indians, it equally helps US companies with cutting-edge talent, innovation, research, productivity, competitiveness and job creation, besides creating shareholder wealth in the US," the MEA said.
"This is therefore an area of tremendous mutual benefit for the two countries," it added, arguing that Washington's latest measures did not support the shared goals of the two nations.
WHAT IS PERM, AND WHO WILL BE AFFECTED?
PERM is a US labour certification procedure that employers generally need to complete before sponsoring eligible foreign workers for employment-based Green Cards. Under the process, employers must establish that there are not enough qualified and available American workers for the position and that employing a foreign national will not negatively affect the wages or working conditions of US workers in comparable jobs.
The PERM programme is separate from the H-1B visa system, which allows American employers to recruit foreign professionals for specialised occupations.
The MEA clarified that suspending PERM applications does not automatically affect existing H-1B visas or the immigration status of visa holders and their dependents. However, the decision could interrupt or delay the permanent-residency application process for eligible employees working at the companies covered by the restrictions.
