Mumbai: Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr P K Mishra, said on Saturday that under its Capacity Building Commission, the Centre has been encouraging Indians working abroad to return to the country.

Mishra was in Mumbai to attend the convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Management Mumbai (IIM Mumbai, formerly NITIE). On the sidelines, he said, "We have been encouraging them and also it is part of our Capacity Building Commission."

His statement comes after the US government's hike in H-1B visa fees. US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation raising the H-1B visa fee to USD 100,000 annually, which will significantly affect Indian technology professionals in the US. The visas, popular among Indian tech professionals, are valid for three years and renewable for another three.

Addressing students, Mishra said an individual's approach, attitude, human resource, and capability shape future accomplishments. “Most research and development in developed countries results from a focus on human resource and capability. Students will play a critical role in making India a developed country by 2047,” he said.

Mishra highlighted that although India has over 100 unicorns and 1.9 lakh startups, innovation gaps remain. He emphasized that technical skill alone is not enough; attitude, teamwork, openness, respect, humility, ethics, transparency, and objectivity are equally important. “Teamwork is probably much more important than individual brilliance,” he added.

IIM Mumbai Chairman of Board of Governors Shashi Kiran Shetty stressed the need for a strong policy on special economic zones to boost manufacturing, create employment, and improve technology. He also highlighted the strategic importance of ship owning and shipbuilding for national security and economic growth.