KTR urges NRIs to look towards Tier-II cities in India amid US immigration uncertainty

Calls upon Indian-American IT stakeholders to explore the possibility of creating job opportunities in Tier-II cities, with a long-term goal

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao called upon Indian-American IT stakeholders to consider challenges under the Trump-era immigration policies as a trigger for opportunity in India, particularly in Tier-II cities. He urged them to explore the possibility of creating job opportunities in Tier-II cities, with a long-term goal.

Speaking at an interaction with ITServe Alliance in Dallas, Rama Rao acknowledged concerns over the proposed changes in US immigration policies and their impact on the IT sector. “Disruptions like these often cause panic, but they also open up new possibilities,” he said, pointing out that previous policy shifts in the US had historically led to innovation and adaptation among NRIs and the industry.

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Pointing to rising labour costs in Indian IT hubs like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, the former IT Minister suggested for a strategic shift to Tier-II cities. He reminded that post-Covid, geography had become irrelevant.

“What matters is connectivity and talent. The previous BRS government established plug-and-play IT infrastructure across 10 Tier-II cities in Telangana. Companies like NTT Data, which started with just 50 employees in Adilabad, now employ 500,” he noted.

Citing similar successes in Warangal with Seattle-based Quadrant Technologies, he urged companies to explore untapped regions where competition from tech giants is minimal. “If MNCs are not going there, it’s your opportunity,” he said.

Rama Rao called on the ITServe Alliance to collaborate with Indian governments in shaping forward-looking policies, especially in skilling and AI readiness. “Let us together create a vision document on constantly upskilling and reskilling our youth to remain globally competitive,” he added, stressing the need to future-proof India’s IT talent pool.

He stated that though short-term disruptions may hurt business, the long-term gains lie in building strong ecosystems within India.