New Delhi, Sept. 21 -- Former Indian diplomat KP Fabian termed the recent hike in H-1B visa fees by the United States as largely negative, noting that the measure has been modified to cover only fresh applications.

"The latest is that it has been modified. That is, it would apply only to fresh applications. Well, even there, it can be argued, and it has been argued, that it is cheaper to employ non-Americans than Americans. So, for positions where skilled Americans are available, there is some logic for it. But on the whole, the approach is quite negative," Fabian said.

Explaining the scope of the new conditions, Fabian clarified that current visa holders are not impacted. "As of now, those who hold an H-1B visa, whether in India or the...