Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Estonia Welcomes Indian Tech Talent Amid US Residency Suspension
Estonia’s digital affairs minister, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, said skilled workers from India are welcome in her country.
Her comments came after the United States suspended a residency-related programme for several large Indian IT companies.
Estonia already has more than 2,000 people from India, many of whom work in technology.
Pakosta said Estonia and India could learn from each other and work together on digital tools and artificial intelligence.
She also said the countries already cooperate on cybersecurity.
Pakosta praised India’s rule asking platforms to remove false information quickly.
She said countries should work together on rules for large technology platforms while protecting free expression.
Estonian minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta said her country welcomes skilled Indian talent after the United States suspended a residency-related programme for several major IT firms.
The suspension bars Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro and HCL from filing new applications or processing pending ones under the Permanent Labor Certification programme.
Pakosta said Estonia has more than 2,000 people from India, mostly working in IT, and more than 200 Indian students.
She pointed to opportunities for cooperation in digital services, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, while noting that partnerships require risk assessments.
Pakosta praised India’s requirement for platforms to quickly remove false information and called for international regulation of large technology platforms.
- Who
- Estonian justice and digital affairs minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta, speaking about Indian talent and cooperation with India.
- What
- Pakosta welcomed skilled Indian talent and discussed possible cooperation in digital technology, AI, cybersecurity and misinformation.
- When
- In an interview in Delhi, after the United States announced the programme suspension on Thursday; the article does not specify a date.
- Where
- Delhi, India; the interview concerned Estonia and India.
- Why
- The United States had suspended a residency-related programme for several major IT firms, prompting discussion of alternative opportunities and cooperation.
- Estonia's population
- About 1.3 million
- People from India in Estonia
- More than 2,000, most working in information technology
- Indian students in Estonia
- More than 200
- US programme
- Permanent Labor Certification programme
- Companies named
- Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro and HCL
- X-Road example
- Pakosta said Estonia’s interoperability platform was adopted in Ukraine and continued to function securely during the full-scale war.