In several of India’s top cities, American companies are quickly establishing larger offshore offices. These facilities are fully staffed with highly skilled Indian professionals, who handle important tasks necessary for global operations.
Bengaluru, in particular, stands out as a hub for this growth. Apul Nahata, who leads RapidAI, a medical technology firm from Silicon Valley that specializes in using artificial intelligence to analyze brain scans, notes the remarkable concentration of tech companies in the area. From his office window, he can see a “density of companies” that are relevant to his work.
“If I take a short walk, I’ll come across major names like Google, Qualcomm, Nvidia, Visa, Samsung, and Amazon,” Nahata shared, reflecting on his experience after spending a decade in California. Although he is particularly aware of the tech firms around him, JPMorgan Chase holds the largest presence in Bengaluru with approximately 55,000 employees spread across several Indian cities. Even popular American retailers like Target and Lowe’s have established offices in Bengaluru, employing around 4,000 to 5,000 local workers.
During President Trump’s time in office, the U.S. has shifted its stance on trade with India, expressing concern over a significant trade deficit of $46 billion. Trump has also raised issues regarding undocumented Indian workers in the U.S.
However, the policies proposed by Trump—such as increasing U.S. tariffs to pressure India into lowering its trade barriers and deporting immigrants—are unlikely to change the deep-rooted relationship between American businesses seeking skilled labor overseas and India’s vast workforce.
Two decades ago, many Americans worried that outsourcing jobs to countries like India would lead to fewer jobs at home. Over the years, various jobs have moved overseas, and many have been replaced by automation. Yet, the American economy continues to require a larger number of skilled workers.
