Russia, H1B visas, Iran, trade to figure in Pompeo-Jaishankar talks

With the US secretary of state Mike Pompeo meeting India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar, speculation is rife over the outcome of talks over subjects considered crucial for both New Delhi and Washington.

With the threat of sanctions looming over India’s head on account of its decision to purchase $5 billion worth of S-400 missile system from Russia, India is expected to persuade the U.S that it meets the waiver criteria to convince it to let it go-ahead with the deal. Reports suggest that the US sees the acquisition of missiles by India a threat, since the S-400 missile system is claimed to be one of the most deadly surface-to-air missiles.

The complications with regard to H1-B visas will also come up for discussion. Sources from the Trump administration have said that Mike Pompeo will reassure India that there will be no limitations on the issuing of H1-B visas. The H1-B visa is a non-immigrant visa granted by the US to citizens from other countries who wish to go to the US for certain types of temporary work, medical treatment, business, or tourism purposes.

Another issue that will figure prominently in talks will be the tension prevailing between the US and Iran, which affects India’s oil imports. India has greatly reduced its dependence on Iranian oil to avoid sanctions by the US, but it will take a final decision in today’s meeting and discuss alternative sources of oil.

Also, on the trade front, the US wants India to reduce trade barriers and promote “fair and reciprocal trade”. Talks may hammer out a solution on the subject. This happens to be the first high-level interaction between the two countries since the return of the Modi government. The meeting also assumes significance as it takes place ahead of the Modi-Trump meeting on the side-lines of the G-20 meet at Osaka, Japan.