India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has emphasised that a “global workforce” is an unavoidable reality, and urged creation of a more efficient, fair, contemporary model amid upheaval in the US H-1B visa regime.

Speaking at an event during the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar acknowledged that where that workforce is located might be politically contentious—but the demand, driven by global demographics and unmet economic needs, cannot be ignored.

His comments come in the wake of major changes by the US addressing immigration and technology worker visas. Among these, the H-1B visa filing fee has surged, and the lottery-allocation system has been revised to prioritise higher-paid applicants. These reforms disproportionately affect Indians, who receive over 71 % of H-1B visas.

Jaishankar did not directly cite the US policy shifts, but framed the broader issue: trade turbulence, tariffs, and immigration constraints all interact in today’s interlinked world. He also reiterated India’s push for self-reliance, noting that turbulent global conditions require nations to build their internal capacities.