Donald Trump plans to punish Indian students in US after failed tariff war with India, sends memo to universities, asks them to…

According to The Wall Street Journal, this 10-point memo from the Trump administration is titled "A Pact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education."

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has reportedly issued a new directive that will directly affect the Indian students. This comes after his heavy tariffs failed to put any significant impact on India. According to the reports, the Trump administration has sent a memo to nine universities asking them to meet certain conditions. Only if they comply will they get “preferential access” to federal funds.

According to The Wall Street Journal, this 10-point memo from the Trump administration is titled “A Pact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.”

All you need to know:

• According to this new 10-point memo, American colleges will have to limit the total number of international graduate students to 15 percent.
• No more than 5 percent of the total students can come from a single country.
• The memo urges universities to reduce foreign student enrollments
• This will create a major challenge for Indian students who may now face more difficulty getting admissions and visas.
• It instructs universities to cut down on foreign student enrollment and to reform departments that, according to the memo, “undermine conservative values.”
• The White House has not yet publicly explained why these nine specific universities were chosen.

Why is this order significant amid rising tensions?

It is important to note that Trump’s order comes amid escalating tensions with India due to heavy tariffs. The US has imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods, including a 25 percent tariff linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil. Experts are of the opinion that intent behind this move is to pressure India into agreeing to a trade deal favorable to the US. However, India is unwilling to accept a one-sided deal and insists on an agreement that benefits both nations.

Apart from tariffs, Trump has also dealt a blow to India by sharply increasing H-1B visa fees. His latest move signals to India that the U.S. may tighten its administrative and visa regulations based on its own priorities.

What kind of challenge does this pose for Indian students?

This memo has brought several challenges for Indian students. Colleges can still admit a total of 15 percent international students, but the 5 percent per-country cap means that many Indian students—especially those targeting affordable campuses—may not get admission.