Goa, Oct. 9 -- India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a firm rebuttal against comments made by U.S. Vice President JD Vance regarding foreign tech workers, calling his description of H-1B visa holders as "indentured servants" both unwarranted and deeply offensive.

The diplomatic row follows a decision by the U.S. Department of Labor to bar eight major tech and IT services firms-including Microsoft, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, Infosys, Adobe, Cognizant, HCL, and Capgemini-from participating in the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program. The PERM process is a foundational step required for employer-sponsored Green Cards. Washington justified the suspension by accusing corporations of relying on foreign labor to r...