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India-US relations

New US visa rules, a sanctions law on Russian oil buyers, a pending trade deal and a Rubio visit that skips Delhi test India-US ties.

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The question

Is India protecting its interests on visas, Russian oil and trade as the US raises pressure?

$100,000H-1B payment for some new hires from abroad, extended to Sept 2027; courts block itThe White House · The Times of India
50.3%share of new-job H-1B approvals that went to Indian-born workers in 2024-25 (USCIS)The Times of India
Up to 100%extra US tariff the Graham Act allowed on top Russian oil buyers; waived 16 Oct 2026The White House · The Economic Times
20 Octoberdate the MEA gave for Jaishankar-Rubio talks in MumbaiHindustan Times · News18
Context

How we got here

India and the US describe their ties as a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, but several strains have built up since Donald Trump returned to office in 2025. On 19 September 2025 the US imposed a $100,000 payment on certain new H-1B work-visa petitions; Indian-born workers received about half of new H-1B approvals in 2024-25. The two countries have negotiated a trade deal since early 2025 and announced an interim framework in February 2026, but talks were complicated by changing US tariffs (taxes on imports) and a US Supreme Court ruling that struck down 'reciprocal' tariffs. In June 2026, during the US-Iran war, India said three Indian seafarers were killed in US military strikes on ships off Oman and lodged a strong protest; the Congress accused the Prime Minister of staying silent. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Delhi in May 2026 for a Quad foreign ministers' meeting. Between August and October 2026 the main issues were new US visa rules, a US law threatening tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian oil, the trade talks and a Rubio visit to Mumbai. Tariff economics are covered on our economy pages.

What it means for India

Indian tech workers and students face costlier and stricter US work visas: the $100,000 H-1B payment has been extended to 2027, though courts have blocked its collection, and a proposed rule would end the 60-day grace period for H-1B holders who lose their jobs. Indian exporters faced a possible 100% extra US tariff over Russian oil purchases until Trump waived it on 16 October 2026, but the waiver can be revisited. A trade deal, if concluded, would set the tariffs Indian goods face in the US.

In their own words

Where each side stands

Government of India (MEA)

The MEA says India 'remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people' through diversified sourcing, and told the US the Graham Act could hurt ties and energy markets. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar says trade talks are 'heading towards a landing point' and the partnership's core fundamentals are unchanged. On Rubio's visit, the MEA says hosting foreign dignitaries outside Delhi has been practice for about a decade.

DD News · The Hindu BusinessLine · Hindustan Times
Congress

The Congress accuses PM Narendra Modi of yielding to US pressure. Pawan Khera said the H-1B fee extension would 'hit Indian IT, tech professionals and the student talent pipeline hard' and that 'India took the humiliation and the hit'. Rahul Gandhi posted that 'Mr Rubio has summoned his employee to Mumbai', and Jairam Ramesh asked why the US envoy, not the MEA, announced Jaishankar's meeting.

India Today · Hindustan Times · News18
US administration

The White House says the H-1B restrictions address 'significant abuses' of the visa programme and defends them as protecting American workers. US Ambassador Sergio Gor says the 'big items are done' on a trade deal. President Trump waived Graham Act tariffs, certifying that the waiver serves US national interests, while keeping the power to act later.

The White House · India Today · Firstpost
7 moments

The timeline

  1. Trump waives Graham Act tariffs that threatened India over Russian oil purchases

    The waiver came days before 100% tariffs could have hit the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, a group that includes India.

  2. Rahul Gandhi says Rubio 'summoned' Jaishankar; MEA confirms 20 October talks in Mumbai

    US envoy Sergio Gor said on 15 October he expected Jaishankar to travel to Mumbai to meet Rubio.

  3. Jaishankar says trade deal heading to 'landing point'; US envoy Gor says 'big items are done'

    Jaishankar said on 13 October the trade deal is 'heading towards a landing point' but gave no timeline.

  4. Rubio to visit Mumbai and Jamnagar on second India trip of 2026, skipping Delhi

    The State Department announced Rubio's 17-22 October trip to Samarkand, Mumbai and Jamnagar on 13 October 2026.

  5. Trump extends $100,000 H-1B payment rule to September 2027, but courts keep the fee blocked

    The $100,000 payment for some new H-1B workers hired from abroad now runs to 21 September 2027.

  6. India warns US that Russia sanctions bill could hurt ties and energy markets

    The Graham Act lets the US add tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas.

  7. US proposes ending 60-day grace period for H-1B workers who lose their jobs

    DHS proposed on 10 September 2026 to end the 60-day grace period for H-1B holders who lose their jobs.

Honest gaps

What we still don't know

  • ?What Jaishankar and Rubio agree when they meet in Mumbai on 20 October, and whether the trade deal is announced soon after.
  • ?Whether the US reinstates Graham Act tariffs on Russian oil buyers; the waiver lasts until officials decide further action is appropriate.
  • ?Whether appeals courts let the government collect the $100,000 H-1B fee, and whether the grace-period rule is finalised.
Who reported this

Sources

Left-leaning · 1Centre · 7Right-leaning · 2International · 1

11 outlets across the spectrum. Leanings are a rough guide to who reported it, not a verdict on accuracy.

  1. The HinduMarco Rubio to skip Delhi, visit Mumbai and Jamnagar next week
  2. India TodayH-1B visa fee extended: Congress says Trump move will hit Indian IT and students
  3. The White HouseRestriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers
  4. The White HouseImplementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
  5. DD NewsIndia says monitoring US Congress passage of sanctioning Russia and Iran Act
  6. Hindustan TimesGovt defends Jaishankar-Rubio meet in Mumbai amid Oppn criticism: 'Practice for last decade or so'
Show all 15 sources
  1. FirstpostIndia-US trade deal nears 'landing point', big items done, says Ambassador Sergio Gor
  2. The Hindu BusinessLineIndia-US trade talks heading towards 'landing point' but clarity needed on competitive economies: Jaishankar
  3. ReutersTrump administration proposes waiving grace period for H-1B holders after job loss
  4. The HinduRahul Gandhi attacks PM over deaths of Indian seafarers in U.S. strikes
  5. ReutersNew US sanctions bill on Russia puts India's Modi in a bind
  6. News18MEA Responds To Rahul Gandhi's 'Summons' Jibe, Says Hosting Foreign Dignitaries Outside Delhi Is 'Practice'
  7. The Economic TimesTrump's waiver of Graham law curbs comes as a relief to India, other Russian energy buyers
  8. The Times of IndiaTrump extends $100K H-1B visa fee until Sept 2027 but court stay remains: White House cites plunge in filings by IT cos
  9. The Economic TimesIndia US strategic partnership: EAM Jaishankar to meet Marco Rubio on October 20: What India & US will discuss during Secretary of State's six-day India visit
India-US relations | Spasht