Last Updated:February 20, 2026, 22:46 IST The Indian-origin scholar at American University challenges the populist assertion that Indian professionals are ‘stealing’ jobs from the core support base of President Trump A central theme of the discussion is the role of the Indian diaspora. (Representational image: X/@narendramodi) The New York Times has released a significant episode of its podcast and opinion series, Interesting Times with Ross Douthat, featuring the acclaimed international relations scholar Amitav Acharya. The discussion, titled “Welcome to the Indian Century”, provides a comprehensive examination of India’s ascent as a global leader in waiting, juxtaposing its strategic trajectory with that of China and the shifting priorities of the United States. The Myth of the Job Thief One of the most provocative segments of the conversation addresses the “MAGA” narrative surrounding H-1B visas. Professor Acharya, an Indian-origin scholar at American University, explicitly challenges the populist assertion that Indian professionals are “stealing” jobs from the core support base of President Donald Trump. He argues that this perception is a fundamental misconception, as the skill sets of …