Sushma Swaraj (PTI file photo)

NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over the progressive tightening of the visa regime in the US after President Donald Trump 's "Buy American, Hire American" policy, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday said New Delhi would raise the issue effectively with Washington during the "2+2" ministerial meeting to be held here on September 6.

Swaraj said "no significant changes" in the US visa regime have taken place as yet, with the number of H-1B visas going up from 1.08 lakh in 2014 to 1.29 lakh now. "But the danger (of reduction in number of H-1B visas) is looming large. It is an issue of worry not just for the government and the opposition, but the entire House," she said.

The government has taken up the issue with the US authorities at various levels, including the White House and state department, as well as in several bilateral meetings. "I assure you we will certainly and forcefully raise this issue again during the two-plus-two dialogue (between Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and their American counterparts, Mike Pompeo and Jim Mattis)," said Swaraj.

