India has criticised the United States for suspending several Indian IT firms from a programme that lets foreign workers seek permanent residency. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement on Friday.The US Department of Labor suspended the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) programme for eight firms: Infosys, TCS, Wipro, HCL, Cognizant, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe. The ministry said the steps “do not advance the shared ambitions of both countries.”The MEA clarified that PERM is distinct from the H-1B visa programme.

The suspension does not by itself affect the validity of existing H-1B visas, though it could affect the green-card process for eligible employees of the firms concerned.The ministry also criticised US Vice President JD Vance for calling foreign workers “indentured servants”. It said such descriptions are unwarranted and ignore the fact that Indian professionals in the US are highly educated and skilled contributors to its economy.Vance had said Microsoft laid off 6,000 American workers last year while benefiting from 6,300 H-1B visas. The ministry said talent mobility benefits both countries and helps US companies innovate.