Relations between the US and India have been strained recently because India refuses to implement sanctions on Russia for the war in Ukraine. I wonder if there is a geopolitical motive behind the timing of this decision.

I suspect the administration is indeed playing chess like you suggest.

This H1B policy will put internal domestic pressure on India to put sanctions pressure on Russia. If so, waive the fees for the Indian consultancy firms. Anytime India lets up on sanctions, the fees will come back.

Either the US will get the sanctions it seeks or it will get a revenue stream from a policy that plays well to many US voters.

> because India refuses to implement sanctions on Russia

That was a stated reason. The real reason was that Narendra Modi didn't want to nominate Trump for a Nobel peace prize for his participation in India/Pakistan conflict and even acknowledge Trumps involvement.

All while Trump keeps talking that he stopped a war and deserves the prize.