Deeper Modi-Trump engagement can handle visa crisis: Nasscom chairman C P Gurnani

USD 150-billion domestic IT industry lobby Nasscom has been rattled by the proposed changes in its biggest market US and is thus resting its hopes on a deeper engagement between the "pragmatic" heads of US and India to overcome its current troubles.

"The US' commitment to India is very apparent. I strongly believe that this would require an engagement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump and as and when they are able to engage with each other," Nasscom chairman C P Gurnani told PTI recently.

Terming both heads of state as "pragmatic" leaders, Gurnani, who heads Tech Mahindra, which is the fifth largest domestic software exporter, rued that there has not been an engagement between Modi and Trump teams.

He said Nasscom top honchos, including himself and president R Chandrashekhar, will be flying to the US later in February to impress their side to senior officials from the Trump administration, during which they will stress on partnering for mutual benefits.

"Chandrasekhar and I will be visiting the US by the end of February to meet a few senior officials of the Trump administration," Gurnani said, adding, "clearly, it is about trade participation, appraising the US about how we create jobs not only here but in other parts of the world."

He also said domestic IT firms create jobs in other markets like China, Malayasia and the Philippines as well. Elaborating on why partnerships are essential, he cited acquisitions like Wipro buying Appirio, Tech Mahindra's LCC and also Cisco's USD 3.7-billion takeover of Appdynamics to drive home the point of the need to partnerships. "Ultimately, my point is, we are collaborating to work together," he said and added, "it is not one way business."