NRI shares experience: Expenses in the US reduce real savings compared to working in India

The Indian industry organization Nasscom has appealed to the United States to consider the role of the H-1B program in addressing the shortage of skilled labor after the Trump administration proposed imposing a fee exceeding $100,000 for new visas.

Nasscom also noted that over the past five years, the number of H-1B workers employed by Indian IT companies has significantly decreased as firms increased their local hiring in the US.

The industry body stated that it is actively engaging with all key stakeholders following the US publication of a proposed regulation on Monday, which mandates an unprecedented fee of $103,265 for new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign specialists.

Critics of the program argue that it is abused by many companies that replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor.

Nasscom's statement emphasized: 'The H-1B visa program has long served an important function in filling short-term skill gaps in the US.'

Previously, after President Donald Trump first introduced fees for H-1B visas last year, India's $315 billion IT sector was forced to revise its long-standing strategy for deploying skilled talent to US projects.

However, in June, a US district court in Boston overturned this decision, ruling that it constituted an illegal tax not authorized by Congress.

Nasscom reported that the industry has invested over $1.1 billion in strengthening the US STEM talent pool through partnerships with universities and upskilling programs for American workers.

The organization added that 'the proposed increase in visa fees should be considered in the context of the program's original objective—ensuring access to temporary skills where there is a deficit in the US.'

The US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, highly praised Indian companies for helping attract over $20 billion in new investments to America. Speaking at the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), Gor noted that about 70% of IACC members are Indian companies, and over 1,400 members have already invested in or collaborated with American firms.

Gor stated that the US Embassy in India ranked first globally in attracting investments to America, and they are very pleased with the more than $20 billion in new investments from India. He cited examples of several Indian companies expanding their presence in the US.

For instance, Sundaram Clatten, part of the $8 billion TVS group, increased its investment in South Carolina to $200 million, which will create 230 jobs in the US. Additionally, Natco Pharma and Aurobindo Pharma from Hyderabad expanded their operations in New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and other locations. Gor also mentioned that Roots Group in Alabama invested $10 million and hired over 30 Americans for manufacturing work.

He emphasized that investments by Indian companies in America benefit all parties, as it provides access to the world's most dynamic market and contributes to job creation in both India and the US. The ambassador, who took office in January of this year, appealed to Indian companies interested in international expansion to choose America.

Gor urged companies considering new foreign investments to choose the US, suggesting they relocate their 'from scratch' projects, R&D centers, or production lines to American soil, adding that his team is ready to assist in this process. He also advised those who have already invested in the US to deepen their commitments, noting that now is a suitable time as America offers companies the necessary scale, stability, innovation, and ecosystem.

Regarding bilateral trade, Gor reported that the volume of trade in goods and services has grown from approximately $20 billion to over $240 billion over two decades. Both countries aim to reach a bilateral trade volume of $500 billion by 2030. He also noted that the US and India cooperate in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), technology, aerospace, defense, and energy.

According to the ambassador, the joint efforts of the US and India unify supply chains, accelerate progress in critical technologies, and strengthen supply chain resilience. He mentioned that following the start of the 'Trust Initiative' between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at accelerating cooperation in AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, defense, and critical minerals, companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have announced intentions to invest billions of dollars in India.

Gor also discussed meetings with American CEOs visiting India and Indian CEOs looking to invest in America. He referenced a recent meeting with the CEOs of Meta, Netflix, and Rolls-Royce. He concluded that this economic engine possesses incredible potential to unleash its full power. Furthermore, he noted a 40% increase in US imports and exports of LNG and LPG compared to last year, and that America receives about 40% of its generics from India, reflecting the trust between the two nations.

Many people tend to believe that an annual income of 20 million rupees guarantees a comfortable life. However, Founder Contact Sachdeva from Mumbai shared a story of an acquaintance on LinkedIn who, despite such a high salary, experiences severe stress due to work pressure. In a post published on August 12, 2026, he recounted the story of an acquaintance whose annual income is around 20 million rupees, but who is unhappy in life and appears extremely exhausted from work strain.

Sachdeva noted that his friend earns approximately 11–12 million rupees net per month. When meeting this person, he always looks worn out. He shares that his friend is constantly depressed, and thoughts about work are always running through his mind. He tells him that he doesn't know how long he can continue working.

Initially, Sachdeva was surprised why someone earning 20 million rupees a year would suffer so much. But then he concluded that perhaps the question itself was incorrectly posed. In his opinion, a higher income might be part of the responsibilities and expectations that create pressure on a person.

Sachdeva suggested that along with an annual income of 20 million rupees come responsibilities, expectations, targets, and decisions related to people, and work pressure that a person earning 2 million rupees a year does not face to the same extent.

He raised a serious question about money and success: is it better to earn 3 million rupees and live in greater peace, or to earn 20 million rupees and be unhappy? Or is there some third option between these two poles? He wondered if a higher income means greater success, and if greater success means a better life?

Sachdeva emphasized that while money can do a lot, it does not eliminate sadness. He added that large sums of money often come with greater responsibility, more pressure, less free time, and less sleep. Nevertheless, this does not mean that everyone who earns a lot is under stress. The essence of the question is what price a person pays with their life to achieve a certain income.

At the same time, he admitted that one cannot say that 'money doesn't matter.' According to him, 20 million rupees can solve many financial problems, but if a person is unhappy earning that money, the money itself will not save them from that problem.

The main question of this post is as follows: as one advances in their career, salary, responsibility, and decision-making roles usually increase. Such positions may also involve meeting deadlines, managing a team, and constant performance demands. However, a person's level of stress cannot be determined solely by their salary. Working hours, role, company culture, personal circumstances, and work-life balance are also important.

This is why Sachdeva did not limit himself to discussing only the 20 million rupee income. He asked whether it is better to be unhappy with a 20 million rupee income or to live more peacefully with a 3 million rupee income. He also raised the possibility of a 'third option'—success that provides both financial security and personal balance.

Sachdeva's post sparked discussion among LinkedIn users. One commenter wrote that the problem lies not so much in greed, but in internal envy and constantly rising expectations. Another user stated that money can provide comfort but does not bring inner peace. To this, Sachdeva replied that envy can constantly push away goals because people compare their lives to the lives of others.

Many agreed with this sentiment. One person wrote that wealth without inner peace is like a heavy golden cage. In his opinion, true strength lies in understanding what income is sufficient for work to serve life, and not vice versa.

Sachdeva's post presented a different view on career success. While a high salary can certainly provide financial stability and many conveniences, the true cost of any job or position is determined not only by the compensation package. Time, responsibility, work pressure, and space for personal life also play a crucial role. Ultimately, the question is not how much a person earns, but what price they pay with their life for that earnings.