H-1B is America’s gain, not India’s: Economist Sanjeev Sanyal says long-term visas are a host nation advantage

As technology reshapes work and talent moves across borders with unprecedented ease, long-term visas such as the H-1B have emerged as a key focus of international policy discussions. Yet, according to Sanjeev Sanyal, an Indian economist and popular historian, these visas primarily serve the interests of the host country, rather than the nations from which the talent originates. Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, made these remarks on Monday at Network18’s Reforms Reloaded summit in New Delhi, as reported by the esteemed media organisation. With a career spanning multiple high-profile economic advisory roles, including helping prepare six editions of the Economic Survey of India and representing India at Group of Seven (G7) and Organisatio