India has accused Vice President JD Vance of using “deeply offensive” language with “painful colonial connotations” after he warned American companies against replacing U.S. workers with foreign labor.
The diplomatic confrontation followed the announcement that Microsoft, Adobe, and six major IT outsourcing firms would be suspended from the Permanent Labor Certification program, which allows employers to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency.
Speaking at a White House press conference Thursday, Vance warned that U.S. companies must prioritize American workers.
They “cannot lay off American workers and then replace them with foreign indentured servants,” he declared.
Vice President JD Vance breaks down the data:
"If you are working as an H-1B visa in the United States of America, you’re earning $20,000 less than an American citizen hired in the same position. If you were brought in by one of these foreign outsourcing firms, you’re making… pic.twitter.com/vP3YeW60qM
— Vice President JD Vance (@VP) October 8, 2026
The remarks provoked an angry response from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
“We believe that such descriptions are unwarranted and ignore the fact that Indian professionals in the United States are highly educated and skilled contributors to its economy and innovation ecosystem,” the ministry said.
It added that the terminology carried “painful historical and colonial legacy connotations” and was “deeply offensive.”
India hits back at US Vice President JD Vance over his “foreign indentured servants” remark
MEA calls the language “deeply offensive” citing its painful colonial legacy, and defends Indian professionals' contribution to the US economy
India clarifies that existing… https://t.co/whbkTgmYRt pic.twitter.com/YwkGY49oiY
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) October 9, 2026