New Delhi, Oct. 9 -- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday clarified that the US government's suspension of certain companies from the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) programme does not, by itself, affect the validity of existing H-1B visas or the status of visa holders and their dependents, while criticising remarks made by US Vice President JD Vance targeting foreign workers, describing the characterisation of Indian professionals as "unwarranted" and "deeply offensive".

During a weekly media briefing here, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India's position on the US Department of Labor's decision concerning the PERM programme, stressing that it is distinct from the H-1B visa programme.

"We are aware of the U...