Immigration Crackdown
Trump’s executive orders focus on securing U.S. borders, increasing vetting for visas, and targeting cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
Over 7 lakh Indians are among 14 million undocumented migrants in the U.S., with many facing deportation.
Escalation of deportations could lead to significant remittance loss for India and an increase in returnees, adding pressure on India's job market.
Restrictions on H-1B visas and birthright citizenship could affect skilled professionals and require policy shifts in India’s education and skilling.
Trade and Tariffs
Trump’s "America First" trade policy and withdrawal from multilateral agreements could disrupt India's trade with the U.S., including the loss of Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) status.
His past tariffs on Chinese goods and actions like imposing sanctions could force India into similar economic battles, especially if countries like China follow suit.
Trump's decisions could encourage U.S. isolationism and affect India’s economic interactions with global trade partners.
The potential for U.S. tariffs to weaponize trade relations poses a challenge to India’s export-driven economy and trade agreements.
Global Withdrawal and Environmental Impact
Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and international organizations like the WHO and OECD’s Global Tax Deal will reduce global cooperation and funding that India has relied on for climate change, healthcare, and economic development.
India’s energy transition, including investments in renewable energy, could face setbacks as U.S. policies withdraw commitments to green initiatives.
Artificial Intelligence and Tech Impact
Trump’s launch of the $500 billion Stargate AI Infrastructure project signals a heavy U.S. investment in AI, potentially sidelining foreign tech talent, including Indians.
AI advancements might reduce the demand for foreign workers, particularly in the tech sector, affecting India's IT-BPM industry, which contributes to 55% of GDP and 40% of exports.
As tech companies like Google and Meta increasingly use AI for coding and automation, Indian tech professionals may face greater competition and fewer opportunities to migrate to the U.S.
India's future in the tech industry may require a shift in focus toward AI and innovation to ensure its workforce remains competitive.
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