Telangana CM flags concerns over H-1B visa fee hike, warns it could 'create unrest', strain ties

The Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy has raised concerns over the United States’ recent decisions to increase tariffs on Indian goods and raise H-1B visa fees, and warned of adverse impact on both economies and bilateral ties.

The chief minister made these remarks during a meeting with a US delegation comprising senior US business leaders, think tank representatives, and philanthropic figures.

He emphasized the significance and contribution of the Telangana diaspora to America’s progress, and said the recent decision to raise the H-1B visa fee, and the abrupt tariff hike could “potentially lead to unrest and misunderstandings between the two countries”.

He pointed out that successive state governments have maintained continuity in developmental policy initiatives, enabling Hyderabad to grow into a global city, despite political and ideological differences.

“Governments have adopted the best practices from the past and stayed consistent in their policies,” he added.

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Explaining the roadmap for the Telangana Rising 2047 vision, Reddy said that the state government aims to become a USD 1 trillion economy by 2034 and USD 3 trillion economy by 2047. He said Hyderabad is now competing with cities like New York, Tokyo, and Seoul, striving by global standards to improve infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities.

He also stressed the government’s plans to position Telangana as the standout choice for the ‘China+1’ strategy. “I request the support of US industry partners in the development of Bharat Future City. In the near future, I would like to invite all Fortune 500 companies to establish a presence there.”

Taking a dig at the US and signalling a shift away from the over-dependance on the country, Revanth Reddy recently announced that the state government will set up a special wing to help youth find work opportunities in other countries, including Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Russia. He said the US is not the only option for Telangana’s skilled workforce and students.