Chinese investors asked to hire Indians

Chinese investors should employ more Indians to run their projects in India instead of bringing large number of workers from China. This is New Delhi's latest response to complaints concerning India's reluctance to grant enough visas for Chinese workers.

An India-specific approach will have to be thought over by Chinese companies, S Jaishankar, India's new ambassador in Beijing told a conference attended by Indian and Chinese businessmen and officials. He pointed out that companies from other foreign countries did not feel the need to bring their own workers to projects in India, which has a vast reservoir of skilled workmen and a long history of industry and entrepreneurship.

"I have personal experience in working with many of India's other major economic partners. I cannot recall their investments and projects requiring such large manpower support from home," Jaishankar, who was earlier ambassador in Singapore, said.

The statement comes at a time when several Indian companies have joined the chorus along with their Chinese partners about increasing the issuance of visas for Chinese workers. But the Indian government is not encourahing this because large inflow of foreign labour can thwart skill development and cause heart-burning among Indian workers.

It is possible that business models of non-Chinese investors are based more heavily on collaborating with local Indian capabilities, he said, while speaking at a seminar organized by Ficci and the China Council for Promotion of International Trade.

Indian companies sourcing equipment and services from China should advise and assist the sellers on reducing their dependence on Chinese workers and using more of Indian skill, Jaishankar said.

No Easy Visas
Companies from other foreign countries do not feel the need to bring own workers to projects in India, says ambassador Jaishankar His statement comes at a time when Indian comapnies have also joined the chorus with their Chinese partners for increasing the issuance of visas Indian govt is not encouraging this as large inflow of foreign labour can hit skill development and welfare of Indian workers.