In a fiery rebuttal to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy, former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju have called for unity in the face of the Donald Trump administration's aggressive H1-B visa restrictions. The new US guidelines, including a steep fee hike, have raised concerns in India, particularly for the thousands of Indian tech professionals who rely on these visas to work in the US.

Kharge took a swipe at Modi's past camaraderie with Trump, mocking their "bear hugs" and "hollow slogans" after Trump announced the visa crackdown shortly following Modi's birthday call last week. "Foreign policy is about safeguarding national interests, keeping India first," Kharge said, implying Modi's approach lacked wisdom and balance.

Sibal, a seasoned diplomat, hit back on X, urging the opposition to stand united against "foreign bullying" rather than exploiting the issue for political gain. "Blaming Modi for Trump’s antagonistic steps weakens our resistance," he wrote, pointing out that Trump's actions have humiliated allies like Europe, Japan, and Canada as well. "Unlike Pakistan, we haven’t made business deals with Trump’s family to earn his unreliable goodwill," Sibal added, emphasizing India's firm stance on its national interests.

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He further questioned whether the opposition would prefer India to cave to US demands, such as opening markets to GMO crops and dairy products, just to appease Trump’s "MAGA base." Sibal stressed the need for internal solidarity to counter external pressures, even as domestic politics continues.

Echoing Sibal, Rijiju shared the diplomat's post on X, praising his "sharp and pertinent views." The Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister urged all parties to prioritize national interests over political point-scoring. "We have enough time for politics, but when it comes to India, we must speak as one," he said.

The Indian government has expressed concern over the "humanitarian consequences" of the visa restrictions, warning of potential disruptions for families. The Ministry of External Affairs has called on US authorities to address these issues, signaling India's intent to push back diplomatically.

As Trump’s policies threaten the gains in India-US ties, the debate underscores the delicate balance between domestic politics and unified resistance to external challenges.

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