The Economic Times · 9 Oct, 04:53 · Technology briefing

US visa curbs may shift higher-value tech work to India, says former HCL Tech CEO Vineet Nayar

Former HCL Technologies CEO Vineet Nayar suggests that recent US visa restrictions could accelerate the relocation of high-value technology roles to India.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Former HCL Technologies CEO Vineet Nayar suggests that recent US visa restrictions could accelerate the relocation of high-value technology roles to India. This shift implies that complex software development and strategic tech functions, previously concentrated in American hubs, may increasingly be executed by Indian teams. The report highlights a potential structural change in the global IT services landscape, driven by regulatory constraints rather than purely economic factors. Professionals should note this as a significant indicator of evolving global talent dynamics and the growing centrality of India in the international technology supply chain.

Employer demand for Medical Physics skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

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You must adapt to a globalised tech landscape where location matters less than capability. As high-value work shifts to India, cross-cultural collaboration becomes critical. Prioritise skills in complex problem-solving and advanced technical architecture, as routine coding faces more competition. If you are in the US, focus on roles requiring local presence or strategic oversight. If you are elsewhere, enhance your remote leadership abilities. Actively learn to manage distributed teams across time zones. Develop expertise in cloud infrastructure and AI strategy to remain indispensable. Do not ignore compliance nuances in international data handling. Build a network that spans continents. Your next step is to audit your current skill set against these emerging global demands and upskill in areas that transcend geographical boundaries.

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Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
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