Piyush Goyal says stricter US H-1B visa rules will boost Indian startups

Stricter US limits on H-1B visas will end up helping India's technology sector and startup ecosystem by keeping skilled professionals at home, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday.

Speaking at the ET Startup Awards 2026 in Bengaluru, Goyal rejected concerns that recent US visa restrictions would harm Indian IT firms or tech workers. Instead, he argued that every visa refused by American authorities forces top engineering talent to build businesses, conduct research, and expand enterprises within India.

"Look at the entire ecosystem and you will realise that every H-1B visa not granted is a big win for India," Goyal said. He noted that post-pandemic working habits mean physical presence in the United States is no longer essential for high-value work, with tasks easily carried out remotely or offshore.

He added that major global firms are increasingly expanding their Global Capability Centres in cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Noida, Mumbai, and Pune to capture local talent and cost advantages. Tighter visa access, Goyal argued, will give Indian startups—particularly those working in deep technology—greater momentum to scale domestically.

Addressing ongoing trade negotiations with Washington, Goyal insisted talks are progressing steadily, attempting to clear up confusion over whether negotiations have hit a wall. His comments follow remarks from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that trade negotiations had plateaued, alongside statements from US Trade Representative Jaimeson Greer indicating an agreement was not imminent.

"Going by what the US itself has said, it has nothing more to add or offer, and the fine print is being worked out," Goyal said. He explained that both sides are currently working through legal details to preserve the comparative advantage agreed upon in February. Ironing out these terms requires specialised legal expertise that artificial intelligence cannot provide, he noted.

The minister clarified that he has never raised H-1B visas or green cards during his trade talks in Washington, arguing that immigration policy is distinct from bilateral trade agreements, even if the movement of skilled professionals to deliver services remains important.

During a recent trip to the US, Goyal held 19 one-on-one meetings with heads of companies collectively valued between $50 billion and $60 billion. He said one of the largest investors in the US is currently looking to put between $100 billion and $150 billion into India to tap into the country's growing market scale.