Anti-outsourcing sentiments in US are of grave concern, says Pilot

NEW DELHI - Minister of State for Communications and Technology Sachin Pilot said on Thursday that matters pertaining to denial of visas, strong steps against outsourcing in the United States and hiked visa fees were grave issues.

Pilot, while launching a new telecom scheme in New Delhi today, admitted that these issues have been brought to his notice.

“The issues of the hiked visa fees, denial of visa sometimes, the issue of strong steps against outsourcing, these are very important and contentious issues that have been brought to my notice also, and the Government of India has already taken up these issues at the highest levels, and in the future also,” Pilot said.

“I am sure that they will be adequately addressed at appropriate levels in future also. But this is a matter of concern, and we have already (raised) these issues before also,” he added.

U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to India from Nov.6 onwards puts the spotlight on its 60 billion dollar IT sector, which argues it is a creator of jobs in the United States and should not be blamed for high unemployment.

An increase in U.S. visa fees, a ban on off-shoring by the state of Ohio and the industry’s portrayal in campaign adds as a drain of U.S. jobs has set a frosty tone ahead of Obama’s visit to India. (ANI)