The Congress party, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, labeling him a ‘weak PM’ following the imposition of a hefty $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas by former U.S. President Donald Trump. This significant increase targets highly skilled workers, with a particularly strong impact on Indian professionals.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took to social media, expressing his dismay directly to PM Modi. He stated, “Indians are pained by the ‘return gifts’ you have received after your birthday call. These are ‘birthday return gifts’ from your ‘Abki baar, Trump sarkar’ (this time, a Trump government)!”
Kharge further elaborated on the Trump administration’s recent policies, including a 50% tariff and the Halting International Relocation of Employment (HIRE) Act, which specifically targets the outsourcing of Indian tech talent. He warned that these measures, coupled with the new H-1B visa fee, are expected to result in an estimated loss of ₹2.17 lakh crore across ten different sectors for India.
“Indian national interests are paramount,” Kharge emphasized. “Foreign policy is not about superficial displays like bear hugs, empty slogans, or choreographed concerts where people chant ‘Modi, Modi.’ True foreign policy is about wisely and balancedly safeguarding our national interests, always prioritizing India. Reducing it to bravado risks undermining our country’s long-term standing.”
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, echoed Kharge’s sentiments on social media, highlighting reports that the H-1B visa fee hike would disproportionately affect Indians. He unequivocally stated, “I repeat, India has a weak PM.”
Gaurav Gogoi, the Congress’s Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha, also shared his concern, posting that this policy would detrimentally impact the future of India’s brightest minds. He recalled the assertive stance of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when an Indian diplomat faced disrespect in the U.S. Gogoi contrasted this with PM Modi’s “preference for strategic silence and loud optics,” suggesting it has become a liability for India’s national interest and its citizens.
Manish Tewari, another Lok Sabha colleague from the Congress, suggested that the U.S. was “deliberately turning the screws on India,” asserting that the H-1B visa fee hike was no mere coincidence. Tewari cited a broader pattern of actions, including a premature ceasefire announcement by the U.S. influenced by Pakistan, the subsequent recognition of the Pakistani Army chief in the White House, the 50% tariffs, and even the Saudi-Pakistani defense partnership, all of which he believes occurred with the tacit support of the U.S. He concluded that this systematic “belligerence” from the U.S. does not bode well for India-U.S. relations.
Congress leader Pawan Khera shared old media reports alongside a 2017 post by Rahul Gandhi, which had noted the H-1B visa issue was not addressed during talks between Trump and Modi. Khera declared, “Eight years later, Rahul Gandhi is vindicated yet again. He called it out back in 2017, and nothing has changed. India is still stuck with a weak Prime Minister.”
The controversy stems from Mr. Trump’s proclamation on Friday, significantly increasing the H-1B visa fee to an annual $100,000, part of the American administration’s broader crackdown on immigration.