U.S. Alters H-1B Visa Process; BP Divests $10.1B Lubricants Business; Bharti and Warburg Acquire Haier India Stake
The U.S. government has changed the H-1B visa selection process, eliminating the random lottery in favor of prioritizing higher-skilled and higher-paid applicants. This change may increase staffing costs and limit flexibility for Indian IT firms.
BP announced the sale of its lubricants business for $10.1 billion, part of a $20 billion divestment plan by 2027 to reduce net debt, following pressure from activist investor Elliott Management. Castrol India, a subsidiary, saw shares rise nearly 8% after the announcement.
In another move, Bharti Enterprises and Warburg Pincus acquired a 49% stake in Haier India, with plans to enhance local manufacturing. CoreEL Technologies raised $30 million in a Series B round to expand its defense tech capabilities, following its acquisition of Lekha Wireless's aerospace division.
Godavari Biorefineries launched a new subsidiary in the U.S. to boost its biotechnology presence. Vikran Engineering secured a ₹2,035 crore order for a 600 MW solar project, with stocks rising significantly.
