New Delhi, Sept. 25 -- Former Indian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin has criticised the US's steep H-1B visa fee hike as a "tax on trust", warning that it undermines the mutual benefits of the programme and risks eroding goodwill between India and the United States.

In an interview with ANI, Akbaruddin likened US President Trump's recent proclamation of imposing a USD 100,000 fee hike on the H-1B visa to a barrier on a "bridge of talent", arguing that taxing skilled migration harms both nations and could drive opportunities elsewhere.

"We must acknowledge that the H-1B visa is a win-win for both sides. Indian engineers saw that as a ladder to global careers and a number of Indians have followed that route ...