Click to play videoDes Moines, (Iowa): In an exclusive interview, Democratic presidential candidate Senator Christopher Dodd chats with CNN-IBN's Indira Kannan about, H1B visa program, the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and the India US civilian nuclear agreement.
Indira Kannan: Senator Dodd you are running for the US presidential elections. In India for instance specially on the issues of H1B visa, as in high scale labour immigration, what are your views on the demands — at least of the IT industry — that the quota for H1B visa should be increased?
Senator Dodd: Well I have been supportive of the idea in general, although I want some restraints put on it here, I don’t want to make sure that people get fired here in the United States using H1B visas to bring people in or skipping over the entire process, so that people are given a unique or special advantage over others who are very qualified people. And obviously we are trying to make sure that citizens in our own country acquire skills such that they can fill those jobs as well, so you have to balance these interests.
Indira Kannan: The sub-continent has recently been in news in the US as well because of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. How relevant do you think those kind of issues are in the US?
Senator Dodd: I think that the assassination of Benazir Bhutto caused a lot of people in the state to pause, I think they realised it is very important that we have a president that is knowledgeable about power and policy, knowledgeable about issues that bring a maturity in the adults for this decision making process.
Indira Kannan: If you are elected president, what would your stand be on the India US civilian nuclear agreement?
Senator Dodd: Well I have been supporting it as a member of the foreign relations committee. I think it's in our interest here to reach that agreement of understanding, India has been a great friend and a great ally.
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