The United States will look into concerns over its decision to hike its visa fees, the country's commerce secretary, Penny Pritzker, said on Tuesday. The US administration maintained that the hike was not targeted against Indian professionals, who according to her are major "beneficiaries". She said Indians accounted for 69% of USH1B visas and 30% of all L1 visas issued in 2015, according to PTI.

At a joint press conference, Pritzker said, "Any changes that have been made towards H1B and L1 visa applications... they are not limited or focused on Indian nationals. They are really an across the board change. But given the concerns expressed by Indian industry, I committed to Minister [Nirmala] Sitharaman to look into this and report back." External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who was also present at the conference, said she has discussed the matter with US Secretary of State John Kerry to resolve the visa fee issue that affects people-to-people exchanges "which is a vital source of strength for our relationship".

She said India had brought up the issue during the bilateral Strategic & Commercial Dialogue. New Delhi had also moved the World Trade Organisation saying Barack Obama administration's decision was “discriminatory” against Indian firms.