US caps visas as Indians could take all tech jobs: Indian-American CEO

Indians, known for their ‘jugaad’ (innovation), are playing a crucial role in America’s tech industry, Harbir K Bhatia, the CEO of the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce, said. The Indian-American CEO said it was because Indians are so good that the US has a cap on visas. “They just have to put a limit otherwise we could take up all the jobs,” she said.

“India is one of the largest leaders of innovation in the Silicon Valley. The data was collected as 40% of Silicon Valley CEOs or founders were from South Asia or India itself,” Harbir K Bhatia told the Press Trust of India.

Indian immigrants and Indian Americans are a major force in innovation and entrepreneurship, according to a speaker discussing the relationship between Silicon Valley and India. The speaker highlighted several factors that contributed to this success.

The top leadership roles played by Indians in American tech companies like Google, YouTube, Microsoft, and Intel is a testament to their role. Besides tech, Indians have excelled in various industries, including hospitality, entertainment, and healthcare in the US.

The cultural values instilled in Indian communities, such as a strong work ethic, focus on success, and an entrepreneurial mindset. These values, deeply ingrained from childhood, drive Indians to excel academically and professionally, contributing to their prominence in fields like engineering and medicine, according to business leader Bhatia.

“You get to bring your whole self to work and have the opportunity to be creative, to be all that you want to be without the worry of your colour, of your skin, the religion you practice, the caste, the culture, anything,” said Bhatia.

Bhatia added that the Indians are good at finding solutions.

“As I said, jugaad karna. If there’s a problem, put a desi on it, you’ll find a solution. That’s innovation. You don’t need tech, it’s just in our blood,” said Bhatia to PTI.

WHY THE US IS PUTTING CAPS ON THE INDIAN VISAS

The CEO of the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce emphasised the indispensable role of Indians in driving the success of the tech industry in the United States.

The industry benefits from a cost-effective model, colloquially known as the “three-to-one model”, where one employee in America costs equivalent to three employees in India. This economic efficiency is pivotal for the thriving tech landscape in the US, according to Harbir K Bhatia.

“We bring some of the brightest minds from India. There’s a reason why they keep trying to cap the visas, because they know we’re so good, they just have to put a limit otherwise we could take up all the jobs,” Bhatia told PTI.

Over the past five to ten years, a noticeable trend has emerged within the South Asian community, particularly amongst Indians, as various industries transitioned in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift in career paths has been attributed to the pandemic serving as a catalyst for change, prompting individuals to seek new opportunities and ventures.

“The influx of South Asians into different sectors is also driven by demographic factors. With a sizeable population already established in certain regions, such as Fremont, dubbed as “Punjab”, and Sunnyvale, known as “Hyderabad”, individuals tend to gravitate towards areas where they have existing social networks and communities,” added Bhatia, in an interview with PTI.