New Delji,Oct 9, 2026 16:14 IST Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has responded to Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu’s appeal for Indians working in the United States to return home and contribute to the nation's technological growth, while stressing the importance of strengthening domestic capabilities and fostering local innovation.
Pradhan expressed his support in a social media post, acknowledging the substantial impact Indian professionals have had on the global technology sector. He noted that contemporary challenges offer an ideal opportunity to leverage this existing strength, deepen national capabilities, and encourage greater innovation within India.
He further stated that faith in local talent, paired with a dedicated focus on building indigenous capabilities, will enable the country to play a leading role in shaping the future of global technology.
Pradhan's remarks followed an appeal by Vembu, who advised Indians living and working in the US on visas to contemplate returning home due to growing uncertainties regarding their long-term future in the country. Vembu pointed out that while Indian nationals have significantly bolstered America's technological standing, a notable segment of the country no longer welcomes foreign workers, urging them instead to return and help build India.
Vembu’s appeal arrived amid heightened anxiety surrounding the US employment-based permanent residency process, particularly after several technology firms were suspended from the Permanent Labour Certification, or PERM, program. These regulatory changes have reignited anxieties regarding the career prospects of foreign nationals, notably Indian professionals employed by the affected corporations.
The situation has also brought renewed attention to the broader issues of brain drain, the influence of the Indian diaspora on the international tech landscape, and India's capacity to draw experienced experts back to domestic shores. While Vembu encouraged professionals to return to bolster the domestic tech ecosystem, Pradhan emphasized that confidence in local talent and a commitment to homegrown innovation are vital for driving India's technological future forward.