Indian-Origin VC Asha Motwani Claims Influence on Trump's H-1B Stance & Urges Indian-American Lobbying in DC

Indian-Origin VC Claims Influence on Trump's H-1B Stance, Urges Broader Indian-American Lobbying

Prominent Indian-origin venture capitalist and Republican donor, Asha Jadeja Motwani, has publicly stated her belief that she played a pivotal role in shifting former President Donald Trump's perspective on the H-1B visa program. This program is crucial for U.S. technology firms seeking to employ skilled professionals from international locations, including India.

Motwani recounted her direct discussions with both President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, emphasizing the significant value that top Indian talent brings to the United States. She highlighted a personal connection, noting on social media platform X, "I have spoken to both JD Vance and President Trump about the fact that people like #RajeevMotwani and I would not have come easily into the US if the current H1B drama had been playing out in the 1980s." Her late husband, Rajeev Motwani, was a distinguished Indian-American computer science professor at Stanford University.

A Call for Greater Engagement

Motwani expressed a strong desire for more high-net-worth Indian-Americans (HNIs) to engage with the current administration in Washington D.C. She lauded the Trump-Vance team's openness to innovative ideas, lamenting the perceived lack of proactive lobbying from the Indian-American community on issues pertinent to their heritage country.

"I spent the weekend in Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach and got unusual access to the president with very little effort. I wish there were more people doing this alongside me," Motwani wrote. She stressed the accessibility of engaging with the administration, describing it as "easy and very, very doable. In fact, it is welcomed by everybody."

Critique of Indian-American Billionaires

After nearly a year of actively "battling for India in Washington DC," Motwani voiced her dismay, stating, "I am truly shocked that there is not a single other HNI Indian American helping India in DC." She criticized Indian-American billionaires for their exclusive alignment with the Democratic Party, which she believes results in a dearth of lobbying efforts beneficial to India.

Motwani challenged the common excuse of not favoring Trump and Vance, arguing, "This does not fly with me anymore. I have lost respect for some friends who on the pretext of 'not liking Trump & Vance' are doing a diddley squat for India or US." She underlined the strategic importance of a strong U.S.-India relationship, asserting, "It is in American geopolitical and economic interest that India is in the American pocket and not with anybody else. We in the diaspora can make this happen and we must put in our effort."

Trump's Shifting Stance and Clarification

Recently, in a FOX interview, Donald Trump acknowledged the need for "certain types of talent" when discussing the H-1B program. This comment sparked considerable debate among his "MAGA" base, with some interpreting it as an admission of insufficient American talent. However, the former Trump administration subsequently clarified its position, indicating a welcoming stance towards foreign nationals who come to the U.S. to study and train, with the expectation that they will ultimately return to their home countries.