Modi hints at H-1B unease

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has addressed a joint sitting of the United States Congress, and offered a couple of barbs.

As is customary on such occasions, Modi's speech heaped praise upon his hosts. He also pointed out that India is one of the reasons the USA is praiseworthy.

“Connecting our two nations is also a unique and dynamic bridge of three million Indian Americans,” he said. “Today, they are among your best CEOs; academics; astronauts; scientists; economists; doctors; even spelling bee champions.”

“They are your strength. They are also the pride of India. They symbolize the best of both our societies.”

Modi also explained that in his travels before becoming prime minister, he visited 25 States and “I realized then that the real strength of the U.S. was in the dreams of its people and the boldness of their ambitions.”

The same ambition now permeates India, he said. “Our 800 million youth, especially, are particularly impatient.”

Impatient for H1-B visas that let them work in the USA, perhaps?

Modi also pointed out that “It is estimated that more Americans bend for yoga than to throw a curve ball,” but that India has “not yet claimed intellectual property right on Yoga.” ®