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By Narayanan Madhavan

Dilemmas over how to handle outsourcing of work and work permit visas are not new to the US, which like Shakespeare's Hamlet, is frequently confused over how many workers it should allow into the famed Land of Opportunities. As Congress leader Jairam Ramesh once, put it, "To H1B or not to H1B, that is the question."

As Donald Trump gets set to enter the White House as the 45th President of the United States, the dilemma is staring at India's information technology sector all over again. Is this time any different?

It would outwardly seem so, given Trump's anti-immigration rhetoric in general and explicit remarks about ending the "abuse" of the H1B work permit visas for foreigners, in which Indians have been among the biggest beneficiaries. But it would seem the God/Devil is in the details.

Let's face it. Trump is politically not a friend of the Silicon Valley, and vice versa. Chants by school students in the famed University of Berkeley, "Not my President" against the President-elect have fanned talk of a "CalExit" – California's secession from the US – along the lines of Britain's Brexit from the European Union, but there is more to the business of technology than the rhetorical appeal of Trump or the slogans of liberal students primarily worried about diversity, gay rights and racism. From all indications, Trump may play ball in a manner that helps India more than hinders it. Here are some reasons why.

India is a strategic ally

Trump's big problem would be in dealing with China, which has been taking away manufacturing jobs from the US due to its low-cost advantage built up over the past three decades. US has a 300-billion-dollar trade deficit with China. That should worry the new president more than H1B visas and checks on the technology industry. In both containing Pakistan-centric terrorism and promoting democratic values, ties between India and US are strategic.

Technology gives US the big edge

Indian engineers in the Silicon Valley and Indian companies that carry out outsourced work in software, design and research and development work hard to help create patents and algorithms that give the US a long-term strategic advantage in a competitive world. Trump will not want to erode the edge if he wants "to make America great again" as he says. California is a rich state and "CalExit" talk will at least mean Trump and his aides will talk business with the most influential among techies. Remember, Adobe, Microsoft and Google have Indian-born CEOs now. And giants such as Cisco and IBM have a big stake in Digital India initiatives.

The Rust Belt is hardly affected by India

Trump's victory is largely attributed to white workers who have never been to college and the working class in America's manufacturing-centred "Rust Belt" that has previously voted for Obama. Indians have not taken away blue-collar Rust Belt jobs, by and large. On the other hand, the B Techs, MCAs, PhDs and MBAs from India who people the technology sector help small business voters who backed Trump.

Trump can't control outsourcing-driven job transfers much

The new president may talk much against outsourcing, but offshore outsourcing is not easy to check. Trump[ may have ranted against IBM for allegedly firing Minneapolis workers and transferring the jobs to India, but there is not much he can do. Government contracts may face scrutiny on job losses in America, but that has happened before as well. Tax-related policies cannot undercut the basic advantages in costs and innovation that offshoring offers to many private sector companies. Business process management (BPM) jobs may be more dear for Trump to save for Americans but most of these fall under the offshore category mostly outside government control.

Trump is a fan of "Hindu"

"Ab Ki Bar, Trump Sarkar" is a slogan he mouthed as he gauchely announced he is a "fan of Hindu". Trump's friendly vibes with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the anticipated chemistry between two leaders may give India a negotiating advantage on visas or any other trade issue.

As Infosys founder Narayana Murthy says, if Indians are seen as "very critical" to the success of US industry, decisions can be influenced suitably.

Having said that, it would be foolish not to expect fireworks in the US Congress as Republicans who dominate the country's parliament worry about job losses in each constituency. And Trump, before anything else, is a real estate deal maker who by his own admission loves deal-making.

Expect his administration to ask India some tough questions. And expect tough negotiations for India. Er, how many dollars per square foot is an H1B visa?

The writer is a senior editor and journalist who has worked for Reuters, The Economic Times, Hindustan Times and Reuters. He tweets as @madversity