US announces aggressive revocation of Visas for Chinese students
Secretary of State Marco Rubio decl ared on Wednesday that the United States will 'aggressively' revoke visas held by Chinese students—particularly those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or enrolled in sensitive academic fields. The move, if broadly applied among the roughly 277,000 Chinese students in American universities in 2024, could jeopardize a vital revenue stream for higher education institutions and a key talent source for U.S. technology firms.
Rubio also revealed plans to tighten visa-issuance standards for future applicants from China and Hong Kong, collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security to step up scrutiny. While the Trump administration previously targeted Harvard University's foreign-student enrollment over perceived links to China, this broader policy shift marks a significant escalation in visa enforcement.
Beijing condemned the decision through its foreign ministry, lodging formal protests and vowing to defend the rights of its nationals abroad. Chinese students who had received U.S. university offers expressed dismay at the heightened uncertainty.
International students, led by cohorts from India and China that together accounted for 54 percent of the total, contributed over US $50 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023. Enrollment of Chinese nationals peaked at around 370,000 in 2019 before dipping amid geopolitical tensions and pandemic-related travel restrictions.[^1]
Rights advocates warn that sweeping visa cancellations risk undermining America's standing as a global research leader. Yaqiu Wang, a U.S.-based human-rights researcher originally from China, acknowledged concerns about espionage and intellectual-property theft but criticized blanket revocations as 'deeply concerning' for both individual rights and scientific innovation.
Since the late 1970s, the United States has been a top destination for Chinese students seeking alternatives to a highly competitive domestic university system. Many have remained post-graduation, bolstering U.S. research and the workforce. However, escalating U.S.–China rivalry and heightened oversight have already prompted some students to consider European institutions or return home after completing their studies.
Under former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, U.S. authorities shut down numerous Confucius Institutes—China-funded cultural centers on campuses—citing national-security risks. Now, with visa policies on the front line, universities face renewed pressure to balance openness with security considerations.
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India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
"Very strong support, understanding for our position": Congress MP Shashi Tharoor after meeting US lawmakers
Washington, DC [US], June 5 (ANI): Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is leading the all-party parliamentary delegation to the US, met with Bipartisan co-chairs Ro Khanna and Rich McCormick, as well as vice co-chairs Andy Barr and Marc Veasey, on Wednesday. Tharoor said that US Congressmen had very strong support and understanding for India's position on the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the events that followed. Speaking to reporters, Tharoor said that McCormick was very upbeat about the future of India-US ties, the economy and global strategic issues. After meeting Khanna, McCormick, Barr and Veasey, Tharoor said, 'Mr McCormick is not only understanding of what we had to tell him, but he was very upbeat about the future of India-US relations across the board, the economy, global strategic issues, and so this particular problem we started off discussing was part of a much larger picture, which we are very excited to hear the kind of vision that the India Caucus chairs have for the future of our relationship.' Tharoor also talked about the support received by the delegation from other Congressmen. He said, 'A strong message from the other Congressmen who are also here, who just left the room. So, we've had very strong support and understanding for our position on this terrible, terrible tragedy (Pahalgam attack) and the events that followed. So, we're leaving this room very happy with the conversation.' During the meeting with Ro Khanna, Rich McCormick, Andy Barr, and Marc Veasey, the parliamentary delegation briefed the Caucus members on the cross-border terrorism faced by India and India's strong and resolute stance against terrorism. The delegation led by Tharoor comprises Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum, reflecting India's vibrant and inclusive democratic character. The delegation comprises Sarfaraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, and former Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. The Indian Embassy in the US said that Congressmen expressed strong support for India's right to respond to terrorism in the spirit of zero tolerance against terrorism. The Caucus members hailed the strong strategic partnership between India and the US. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in the US stated, 'Bipartisan co-chairs @RoKhanna & @RepMcCormick and vice co-chairs @RepAndyBarr & @RepVeasey of India Caucus in the House of Representatives met with the visiting Parliamentary delegation led by @ShashiTharoor today.' 'The parliamentary delegation briefed the Caucus members on the cross-border terrorism faced by India and India's strong and resolute stance in the fight against terror. The Congressmen expressed unequivocal and bipartisan condemnation for the terror attack in Pahalgam. They expressed support for India's right to respond to terrorism in the spirit of zero tolerance against terrorism. The Caucus members also hailed the strong strategic partnership between India and USA,' it added. The all-party delegation led by Shashi Tharoor reached Washington DC earlier today to begin a two-day engagement with key US stakeholders. The Indian Embassy in the US posted on X from its official handle that the delegation will meet members of the US Congress, including the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, House Foreign Affairs Committee. The delegation will also hold discussions with academicians from leading think tanks and various media outlets. The delegation is scheduled to speak at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in Washington, D.C., with the event being streamed live on the CFR website. Additionally, the delegation will interact with members of the Indian diaspora during their visit, further strengthening community ties. The delegation aims to brief key stakeholders in the US on Operation Sindoor, India's diplomatic initiative launched to counter terrorism and disinformation following recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. In a post on X, Tharoor described his journey to Washington as a 'horrendous, three-stage overnight journey' from Brasilia via Sao Paulo and Panama, during which he managed only one and a half hours of sleep. Upon arrival, he was pleased to be greeted by two Indian-American police officers, Harmanpreet Singh and Hundal. Tharoor recorded an interview with CBS News at the Indian Embassy, followed by a briefing with Ambassador Vinay Kwatra and his team. The delegation reached the US after concluding their visit to Belgium. The diplomatic effort is part of India's broader global outreach following Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 as a military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, which claimed 26 lives and injured several others. Subsequently, the Indian Armed Forces carried out strikes targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists affiliated with groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
"Meeting with India's all-party delegation outstanding, shared great ideas": US Congressman Rich McCormick
Washington, DC [US], June 5 (ANI): US Congressman and co-chair of the India Caucus, Rich McCormick, said that the meeting with India's all-party delegation was 'outstanding' and they shared great ideas. He said that he is looking forward to the future of the two nations. Speaking to reporters, McCormick said that India and the US will be allies and friends. He made the remarks following the India Caucus chairs and vice chairs meeting with an all-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. After meeting the all-party delegation, he said, 'We expected an outstanding delegation meeting, and it was exactly that. We shared great ideas, we have great synergy, and I'm looking forward to the future of our nations.' On India-US ties, he said, 'We are not just gonna be friends. We are gonna be allies. The future of the world depends on it.' Congressman and Bipartisan co-chair of the India Caucus in the House of Representatives, Ro Khanna, said that the all-party delegation represented India's multi-parties and pluralism with many faiths and they were united that the terrorist act of Pakistan cannot stand. He said, 'It was an wonderful delegation because it represented India's pluralism with many faiths, they represented India's multi-parties and they were here unified that the terrorist act of Pakistan cannot stand and the United States has a bipartisan commitment to the India relationship and standing with India to dismantle these terrorist networks in Pakistan.' The all-party parliamentary delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, met with Bipartisan co-chairs Ro Khanna and Rich McCormick, as well as vice co-chairs Andy Barr and Marc Veasey, on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters, Tharoor said that US Congressmen had very strong support and understanding for India's position on the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the events that followed. He said that McCormick was very upbeat about the future of India-US ties, the economy and global strategic issues. After meeting Khanna, McCormick, Barr and Veasey, Tharoor said, 'Mr McCormick is not only understanding of what we had to tell him, but he was very upbeat about the future of India-US relations across the board, the economy, global strategic issues, and so this particular problem we started off discussing was part of a much larger picture, which we are very excited to hear the kind of vision that the India Caucus chairs have for the future of our relationship.' Tharoor also talked about the support received by the delegation from other Congressmen. He said, 'A strong message from the other Congressmen who are also here, who just left the room. So, we've had very strong support and understanding for our position on this terrible, terrible tragedy (Pahalgam attack) and the events that followed. So, we're leaving this room very happy with the conversation.' During the meeting with Ro Khanna, Rich McCormick, Andy Barr, and Marc Veasey, the parliamentary delegation briefed the Caucus members on the cross-border terrorism faced by India and India's strong and resolute stance against terrorism. The delegation led by Tharoor comprises Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum, reflecting India's vibrant and inclusive democratic character. The delegation comprises Sarfaraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, and former Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. The Indian Embassy in the US said that Congressmen expressed strong support for India's right to respond to terrorism in the spirit of zero tolerance against terrorism. The Caucus members hailed the strong strategic partnership between India and the US. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in the US stated, 'Bipartisan co-chairs @RoKhanna & @RepMcCormick and vice co-chairs @RepAndyBarr & @RepVeasey of India Caucus in the House of Representatives met with the visiting Parliamentary delegation led by @ShashiTharoor today.' 'The parliamentary delegation briefed the Caucus members on the cross-border terrorism faced by India and India's strong and resolute stance in the fight against terror. The Congressmen expressed unequivocal and bipartisan condemnation for the terror attack in Pahalgam. They expressed support for India's right to respond to terrorism in the spirit of zero tolerance against terrorism. The Caucus members also hailed the strong strategic partnership between India and USA,' it added. The all-party delegation reached Washington, DC on Wednesday to engage with key US stakeholders. The Indian Embassy in the US posted on X from its official handle that the delegation will meet members of the US Congress, including the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, House Foreign Affairs Committee. The delegation will also hold discussions with academicians from leading think tanks and various media outlets. The delegation will speak at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in Washington, DC. Additionally, the delegation will interact with members of the Indian diaspora during their visit, further strengthening community ties. The delegation aims to brief key stakeholders in the US on Operation Sindoor, India's diplomatic initiative launched to counter terrorism and disinformation following recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. Upon arrival, Tharoor was pleased to be greeted by two Indian-American police officers, Harmanpreet Singh and Hundal. Tharoor recorded an interview with CBS News at the Indian Embassy, followed by a briefing with Ambassador Vinay Kwatra and his team. The delegation reached the US after concluding their visit to Belgium. The diplomatic effort is part of India's broader global outreach following Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 as a military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, which claimed the lives of 26 people and injured several others. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
As India and Pakistan eye each other, this superpower eyes the whole map
Beijing's close ties with Islamabad give it a level of influence over dealings with Delhi The recent terrorist attack in India's Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which originated in Pakistan and resulted in the death of 26, mostly Hindu, civilians, has triggered another wave of heightened tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. While public discourse has focused on terrorism and hostilities between the two nuclear-powered nations, a deeper analysis reveals the unmistakable imprint of another key actor - China's strategic calculus in the region. The relationship between Islamabad and New Delhi has evolved significantly in recent decades. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar travelled to Beijing days after the military standoff with Delhi and met his counterpart Wang Yi. The Chinese Foreign Minister called Pakistan an " iron-clad friend" and " all-weather strategic partner." China is pursuing a strategy that aligns with its regional interests - including economic engagement, defense cooperation, and influence-building. This strategy, logically, includes efforts to slow down India's rise. Pahalgam incident thus cannot be seen an isolated terrorist attack, but as a signal within a larger geostrategic landscape that is shaping Asia's future. Strategic Timing The flareup in South Asia has come at a time of major geopolitical developments. With the mass shift of Western companies like Apple away from China to India, India is poised to become the next big manufacturing hub. As global businesses explore alternatives to rising operational costs and geopolitical uncertainties in China, India is increasingly seen as a competitive option. Additionally, the proposed US tariffs may add pressure to China's manufacturing sector, which is already adapting to evolving global supply chains. For the strongman leader, Xi Jinping, sustaining economic growth and employment remains a top priority. Any escalation involving India could introduce uncertainty that might affect investor sentiment and infrastructure momentum. Regional instability could redirect global attention away from India's growth narrative toward internal and border-related concerns. China's close political, economic and defence ties with Pakistan - an economically vulnerable partner - gives Beijing a certain level of influence on the way Islamabad deals with India. New Delhi was compelled to act militarily, risking escalation and economic fallout. To India's credit, it managed to negotiate a ceasefire after achieving its key objectives of affecting 11 Pakistani air bases and nine terrorist camps and other strategic terrorist infrastructures against the popular sentiment against de-escalation. Economic factor Pakistan has been struggling with near to bankruptcy. Its foreign exchange reserves have fallen to $4.3bn, its lowest levels since February 2014. Despite a $2.4 billion bailout from the IMF - approved on May 9, when Islamabad and New Delhi were firing missiles at each other - the Pakistani economy is still in tatters. China's offer of financial and military aid to Islamabad at such times comes in more than handy. China's support for Pakistan is not circumstantial. It is also institutional and deeply entrenched. Between 2014 to 2024, China sold over $9 billion worth of advanced weaponry to Pakistan, accounting for around 80% of imported weapons, including J-10CE fighter jets, Wing Loong drones, LY-80 air defence systems, and naval assets. The operational use of these systems in the recent conflict, including Pakistani claims of downing Rafales using Chinese PL-15 missiles, has allowed Beijing to showcase its weapons systems in live combat. Beyond India, China's motivation also ties into its long-term strategic objectives in the Persian Gulf. Pakistan provides China access to the Arabian Sea via Gwadar port, a linchpin in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and part of the broader Belt and Road Initiative. This maritime access offers China two significant advantages: a strategic military presence near key Middle Eastern shipping lanes and an alternative route for oil imports in case of a US-China maritime standoff in the South China Sea. Military-Industrial Complex benefits China's defence industry is another big beneficiary of the escalation. Claims by the Pakistan Air Force that Chinese-made jets outmanoeuvred India's French-built Rafales, regardless of their authenticity, have created a nationalist fervour in Chinese social media and boosted investor confidence. Stocks in Chinese defence manufacturers surged as hashtags like "J-10 shot down Indian warplanes" trended online, and praise for the PL-15 missile system flooded Weibo. Indeed, Beijing wants to use this as an inflexion point for its arms export ambitions. With Western suppliers often constrained by political alignments or human rights concerns, China's relatively unrestricted military exports offer an attractive alternative, especially in conflict-prone or authoritarian regimes across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. A perceived successful battlefield performance strengthens China's pitch as a reliable arms supplier. From shaping regional dynamics to advancing its defense exports and maintaining strategic interests in West Asia, China may perceive certain advantages in the current situation in the region. While the Pahalgam attack was carried out by terrorist actors, it may also reflect broader regional undercurrents in which multiple stakeholders play complex and calculated roles. Through India-Pakistan rivalry, China is executing a proxy strategy that would halt India's rise, safeguard its own economic interests and bolster its defence exports and regional clout. Beijing has much to gain and little to lose from this rivalry - as long as it stays just below the threshold of full-scale war.
