The entrepreneur’s appeal to Indians facing uncertainty over US residency has drawn criticism after Zoho announced a freeze on annual salary increases, citing rising AI costs and an uncertain business outlook
Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu has faced criticism on social media after urging Indians working in the United States to return home and help build India, days before announcing that his company would not provide its usual annual salary increases this year.
Vembu’s remarks come amid uncertainty for Indian technology professionals following the US administration’s suspension of Green Card-related labour certification processing for eight major technology companies. The development has raised concerns among employees seeking permanent residency through employer-sponsored applications.
In a post on X on October 13, Vembu defended his appeal to overseas Indians, questioning what alternatives were available to those asked to leave the US.
“When another country tells you to go home, you come home. What is the alternative? Beg them to allow us to stay? Stay illegally?” he wrote.
He added that India offered numerous opportunities to build businesses and develop new industries, even if the software sector became saturated or contracted.
However, his comments attracted criticism after Zoho announced that it would withhold its usual salary increases this year. Some social media users questioned whether returning professionals could find secure employment in India when technology companies themselves were facing economic pressures.
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Vembu attributed Zoho’s decision to an uncertain outlook for the software industry, sharply higher server costs and rising expenditure associated with the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI)
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He also cited a challenging geopolitical environment
The company has reduced its marketing budget and has not expanded its workforce for 18 months, he said. While acknowledging the difficulty of withholding pay increases, Vembu said Zoho would work to avoid large-scale job cuts.
The episode has highlighted a broader debate over the challenges facing Indians considering a return from overseas. While experienced professionals can bring skills, capital and international networks to India, their decisions also depend on suitable jobs, competitive salaries and viable business opportunities.
Vembu’s position has also received support from some social media users, who argued that his call for self-reliance was reasonable amid changing immigration policies.
The debate underscores the distinction between encouraging overseas Indians to return and ensuring that the domestic economy can absorb their skills and ambitions.
