India Urges US to Prioritize Merit in Student Visa Applications Amid Changes

Concerns Over US Visa Policy for Indian Students

New Delhi: On Thursday, India expressed its hope that the United States would evaluate visa applications from Indian students based on merit, especially in light of the recent suspension of new student visa interviews by the Trump administration.

The alterations in the US visa policy have led to significant uncertainty for students globally, including those from India.

During a weekly media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned, "We have received some guidance from the United States regarding student visas."

He emphasized that while the issuance of visas is a sovereign matter, it is expected that Indian students' applications will be assessed fairly, allowing them to commence their academic pursuits in the US without delay.

Jaiswal reiterated that the welfare of Indian students studying abroad is a top priority for the Indian government.

Concerns have been raised regarding the Trump administration's intention to enhance social media scrutiny of student visa applicants.

As of the 2023-24 academic year, approximately 330,000 Indian students are enrolled in the US.

Regarding Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit to the US, Jaiswal noted his meeting with Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler to bolster India-US collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.

Misri also led a delegation for inter-agency discussions on the India-US COMPACT initiative, which aims to foster military partnerships, accelerate commerce, and enhance technology for the 21st century.

This initiative was established following discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump in Washington DC earlier this year.

The meeting also focused on the implementation of the TRUST initiative, which pertains to critical minerals and technology partnerships.

Jaiswal mentioned that discussions included cooperation in defense and energy sectors, as well as strengthening initiatives like the Quad and I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-US strategic grouping).

The foreign secretary also met with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, where they explored various aspects of the India-US relationship.

They both agreed that technology, trade, and talent will be pivotal in shaping the future of the India-US partnership, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing this comprehensive global strategic alliance.