India's Ministry of External Affairs Condemns Vance's Remarks on IT Workers
The Indian government criticizes U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance's comments labeling IT professionals as 'indentured servants'.
India's Ministry of External Affairs calls Vance's remarks 'deeply offensive'.
The U.S. has suspended labor certifications for major Indian IT firms amid accusations of visa fraud.
Economic ties between India and the U.S. are strained over stalled Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
On October 9, 2026, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a strong condemnation of remarks made by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who referred to foreign workers, including Indian IT professionals, as 'indentured servants'. The Ministry labeled these comments as 'unwarranted' and 'deeply offensive', emphasizing the significant contributions of Indian professionals to the U.S. economy and innovation.
The controversy arose following an announcement by Vance and U.S. Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling regarding the suspension of the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) program for eight major IT outsourcing companies, including five prominent Indian firms. This decision was linked to allegations of visa fraud against these companies, which include Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, Cognizant, and HCL. The Ministry expressed concern that such actions would not foster the shared ambitions of both nations, highlighting the already challenging economic relationship.
The PERM program is essential for companies seeking to sponsor foreign professionals for permanent residency in the U.S. Since 2009, it has facilitated over 230,000 H1B visa approvals and 100,000 permanent residencies. However, the U.S. government claims that the eight companies involved have exploited this system, bringing in foreign workers at lower wages, which they argue undermines American workers. Vance's comments suggested that these companies are replacing American employees with foreign workers, a statement that has drawn sharp criticism from Indian officials.
The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that talent mobility is beneficial for both countries, creating opportunities for Indian professionals while providing U.S. companies with access to top-tier talent and innovation. The Ministry's statement also referenced the historical context of the term 'indentured servants', linking it to painful colonial legacies, and emphasized the importance of recognizing the value of skilled immigrants in the U.S.
As economic relations between India and the U.S. face challenges, particularly regarding stalled Free Trade Agreement negotiations, the situation remains tense. Recent discussions have shown little progress, with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer indicating that no deal is imminent. The outcome of these negotiations, along with potential tariffs on Russian oil imports, could further impact the relationship between the two nations in the coming weeks.
