“Countries placing too many roadblocks on the flow of skilled talent will eventually become net losers, especially in an era driven by advanced manufacturing and high-tech industries.”
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a clear warning to Western nations, especially the US and Europe, amid rising concerns over tightening H-1B visa norms and immigration barriers. He stressed that nations depending on technological innovation cannot afford to isolate themselves from global expertise.
Jaishankar highlighted that modern economies require specialised skill sets that cannot always be met domestically. Restricting global mobility of professionals will not only hurt innovation but also weaken competitiveness in the global market.
He further explained that the resistance to skilled immigration often comes from political pressure rather than economic logic. According to him, industries need more openness, not more restrictions, to maintain growth and drive high-value manufacturing.
Emphasizing mutual benefit, Jaishankar said that talent exchange between countries strengthens global collaboration, boosts productivity, and helps societies adapt to technological transitions. He warned that countries adopting restrictive visa policies may lose their edge in global lea
dership.
