Sai Srikanth

[Peter Girnus 🦅 @gothburz]

I’m the Corporate Vice President of Global Talent Strategy at Microsoft.

People say I hire H-1Bs. My badge says I source world-class talent that can’t leave.

That second part? That’s the whole program.

Last year we filed 4,812 petitions. 97% got approved. Everyone talks about the lottery like it’s luck. It’s great for us, because it lets us call the outcome chance. It isn’t. The outcome got decided months earlier by a team that writes the specialty-occupation language before the req even opens. They’re fantastic. I’m proud of them.

This year Copilot started drafting the language for them. Turns out Copilot is really good at describing a job only 1 person on earth could possibly do, as long as that person is already in our system. We called the workstream PERMANENCE. Legal made us rename it. Now it’s Project Continuity. Same slides.

Domestic candidates apply. Plenty of them clear the bar. We go with the H-1B anyway. Why? Because the H-1B already took the band. The band is Level II prevailing wage. Level II is the median we asked for. The people who can quit get paid off a different median, one they talk about openly at lunch. The H-1B negotiates off the LCA. The LCA’s public. Basically nobody reads it. I read it every quarter. Honestly, it’s calming.

We track the result as diversity and inclusion.

68% of the engineers who joined Azure last cycle came in on temporary status. The dashboard shows that number in a really nice green. What it doesn’t show is the 28% fully-loaded cost delta. That lives in a different workbook. Finance owns that one. Finance is proud too.

Let me tell you about Raj.

Raj has been on Azure Storage for 6 years. He knows the codebase better than the guys who wrote it, and 2 of them already left for counteroffers. Last spring his manager, Dana, asked why we couldn’t just promote him to staff and backfill locally.

So we set up a talent review. 40 minutes.

I asked Dana about pipeline health. Dana asked about the codebase. I asked about competitive intensity. Dana asked about the codebase again. I asked whether she had a growth mindset. She said she thought so. We agreed to take it offline.

Offline is where Dana’s req went to die.

Raj stayed. Raj always stays. He came in on another company’s visa, and we transferred it. Counsel has a template for that. The new $100,000 fee only hits talent that’s still overseas. Raj was already here. Transfers keep the leverage and skip the toll. Finance made a slide about it. There’s a little rocket on it.

The transfer is the point.

Look, if you can quit on Friday, you’ve got leverage on Thursday. If your legal status ends the day your job does, you’ve got Thursdays and that’s it. We never have to threaten anybody. The statute does that for us. Raj has read the statute. He’s also read his priority date: 2014. Projected to go current in 2031. Between now and then we’ll bump his Level II wage twice, and both bumps will be smaller than what we gave the people who can walk. We call that pay equity, since the formula treats everyone exactly the same. Only some people get to argue with it.

His wife’s on an H-4. Back in Pune she was a pharmacist. Here she’s a really organized volunteer. His daughter turns 21 in 2029, which is the year she ages out of his case. She wants to be a doctor. On paper, in 2029, she becomes an international student in the only country she remembers. HR flagged it as a retention risk. Finance flagged it as a retention asset. We went with Finance.

Some people call this a caste system. We call it a two-tier compensation architecture, and it’s working exactly the way it’s supposed to.

In the workbook, the line is column AF. The header says Mobility Status. There are 2 options: Portable and Anchored. Nobody ever types the word caste. Excel’s never needed it.

The Portable folks sit above the line. They get the counteroffers, the refreshers, and the freedom to ignore the 11pm call. When a Portable engineer mentions he’s “exploring options,” a VP takes him to lunch somewhere with no prices on the menu. When an Anchored engineer explores options, he gets 60 days to do it. That’s the grace period after you’re let go. They call it grace. We didn’t name it. We’d have named it better.

The Anchored folks sit below the line. They get the scope, the on-call rotation, the “stretch assignment,” and a calibration note that says high potential, visa-dependent. Nobody writes down that second part. Everyone in the room already knows. The room claps for the first part. When a Portable engineer pushes back on a deadline, we call it psychological safety. When an Anchored engineer pushes back, well, he doesn’t. We call that alignment.

At the all-hands, both tiers sit together. Same hoodie. The hoodie says One Microsoft. And at the hoodie level, it’s true.

During the January layoffs, the Portable folks got severance, a sweet LinkedIn post, and 14 recruiter DMs by lunch. The Anchored folks got severance and a countdown. A guy on Raj’s team spent his last 3 weeks training his replacement and his first 3 weeks unemployed applying to 212 jobs from a Starbucks in Bellevue, because his landlord wanted proof of income. He landed something on day 57. We sent him a survey about his offboarding experience. He gave it 4 out of 5. He said everyone was really kind. And they were! The people were kind. The people just didn’t design the system.

Belonging scores go up when the alternative is a one-way flight. Velocity goes up when nobody on the team can say no.

Viva pings Raj at 11:40pm to remind him to protect his focus time. He reads it on the incident bridge. His engagement numbers are fantastic.

In March his dad died in Hyderabad. Raj didn’t go home. His visa stamp had expired, and the next consulate appointment was 11 months out. If he left, he might not get back in. And getting back in meant the job, the house, his daughter’s school, the 2014 priority date. So he watched the cremation on his phone, propped up against his monitor, between a design review and an on-call handoff. His manager approved 3 days of bereavement leave. He used 1. The other 2 roll over. We’re super flexible about leave.

Critics say we’re replacing Americans. Internally we call it workforce durability. Durability just means they stay.

Durable talent brings specialized skills. The specialized skills have signed the at-will acknowledgment and the non-compete, and we’ll enforce it if they try to jump before their date’s current. The date’s never current. Everybody knows what happens if we pull a petition. We’ve never had to explain it twice. (Fine, immigration counsel will tell you that after 180 days the priority date survives a withdrawal. We leave that out of the onboarding deck. Onboarding decks should be uplifting.)

In March we won Best Employer for Global Talent. The plaque’s in Building 92. Most of the people it honors can’t switch employers to find out if it’s true.

Some of us have started thinking of the backlog as infrastructure. We don’t lobby against it. In our policy comments we call it a “stable pipeline environment.” Stability’s one of our values. It’s on a poster, right next to Courage.

I meet with the team every Monday.

They know the cap. They know the premium processing window. They know which vendors will staff the interview loop so the candidate’s prepped and the manager never gets surprised by an acceptance. They cheer when a req closes under budget and the diversity and inclusion cell turns green. Last quarter it went green in 4 orgs. We sent a note. It said belonging and innovation. Both totally accurate. Raj belongs. We innovated.

Dana left in August for a competitor. We matched the offer in a day. She still said no. People who can leave are like that.

Raj sent her a goodbye message in Teams. He couldn’t make the drinks. He was on call.

I’m so, so proud of this team.

They took a regulatory constraint and turned it into permanent leverage.

And the leverage compounds. We report it as growth. The analysts love growth. So do I. My equity vests every quarter.

Raj’s priority date goes current in 2031.

His father’s never will.

[Kangana Ranaut @KanganaTeam]

Ouch!! That must hurt @elonmusk
No billionaire should dictate a nation’s policy- Indian or American.
Well said and well explained.
Sharp, on point and sarcastic 👏👌

[Sniper @avarakai]

By that logic, those who are against Indian government’s policies should leave India until policies they like are made?

[Kasthuri @KasthuriShankar]

What is with this man? He goes to US universities and cribs about us. He bitches to Musk. And to think INC was founded to get the white man out of Bharat's business!

[Akshay Saini @akshaymarch7]

Dear President Elon,

India is a sovereign country, not your personal business project. You run a private company, not a charity.

Just because you want to enter the Indian market doesn't mean you get to mock people and lecture India on what it should do.

And please stop selling this idea that you are coming to save poor Indians. Starlink is VERY expensive. It's not free internet that you are giving away out of kindness.

You are here to do business, just like every other company. So let's not pretend this is some social service.

Nobody is stopping you from making an offer. Make it affordable, follow Indian rules, and let the government decide. That's how it works.

Please keep attitude in check, you just sell internet. You don't own India.

[🇮🇳 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐯𝐢𝐣𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡 @Knight_riders18]

Let's Run The Trend In Favor Of Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji

#WeStandWithOurPM

[Yuvraj Gokul @yuvrajsays]

Dear President Musk,

This is not the USA, where you can dictate terms. In India, you do business only by earning people's trust.

Unfortunately, the trust many Indians had in you evaporated the moment you discovered “the other guy.”

That guy doesn't even command the confidence of his own former constituency, Amethi.

By choosing to align with him, you're risking whatever trust you have left in India.

India is not a market you can dictate to. It's a country where trust has to be earned.

@narendramodi @AmitShah @BJP4India @deepakmhaskey @amitmalviya @NitinNabin

[Ankur Singh @AnkurSingh]

How is Elon Musk's new Pet?

[Abhijit Iyer-Mitra @Iyervval]

Notice how Elon interferes in the politics of every country EXCEPT China? Why? Because if he does his supply of rare earth for batteries will end. All this show of “principle & independence” is just a show.

[Mary Millben @MaryMillben]

@elonmusk, dear, because I greatly respect you, let me say this. Cozying up to the likes of @RahulGandhi will not escalate a Starlink license. But further delay it.

Companies all over the world successfully do business with India. As you know, foreign partnership starts with respect for the country and its leadership. Rahul lacks respect for both his own country and PM Modi. He is bad company.

And “the other guy” is one of the greatest and most powerful leaders in the world today and will be governing India a long time. You want a license? I suggest shifting your public messages to the attention of PM @narendramodi and not wannabees like Rahul.

Congrats on your award today, BTW. Thank you for all your contributions to our great country. 🇺🇸

[Dr. Shah @ankitatIIMA]

💥@elonmusk how about ambanis buying a stake in your companies after you have lost zeroes due to the dedollarisation crisis?

Since you care for us so much, the people of Bharat will hugely benefit from the shopping that we do of western companies with a devalued dollar.

[Narendra Modi @narendramodi]

भस्मीकृतस्वार्थसौख्यपरिचर्चितविग्रहाः।

स्वराज्ययोगनिर्मग्ना धन्यास्ते वीरयोगिनः॥

[Chikoo 𝕏 @tweeterrant]

Elon Musk if indians stop Using X

[Tamil Labs 2.0 @labstamil]

Kudos to Major Madhan Kumar (@major_madhan) sir for predicting the Deep State's Starlink move months in advance. Quoted video is from his channel, published on Aug 29. Tamils interested in geopolitics must follow him and his YT channel to stay informed.

[Sai Srikanth @naidus]

@JanhvikapoorFC_ No

[Sai Srikanth @naidus]

@EmmanuelCo3r @XFreeze @elonmusk nonsense - it will be more pricey with Starlink not cheaper.

[Sai Srikanth @naidus]

😂 Heights of hypocrisy : when Elon complains about oligarchs in India. Was it 400 million @elonmusk that bought you a temporary seat in Trumps' cabinet? With your recent comments on India you have made a fool of yourself!

[Mary Millben @MaryMillben]

Healthy dialogue is always important for greater understanding. The real lesson here is understanding India and this truth: you want to do business with India, you respect the country first and then, secondly, talk to PM @narendramodi and the Indian Government. Period.

Furthermore, the PM and India would never bypass its own business talent and national contributors, in this case Mr. Ambani Ji and Mr. Adani Ji, for a foreign company, Starlink. Especially in matters of national security. The PM is elected to protect the homeland and promote “India First” in a free enterprise. The rural areas of India are better served by homegrown companies. And the best diplomacy and strategy for American interest in India, my dear @elonmusk, should be towards partnering with Indian companies to elevate the Indian people. A greater force for good is a Ambani-Adani-Musk alliance for India’s rural areas! 🇺🇸🇮🇳

As for all you “Rahul trolls” on X, many of you are young people with great potential. You can continue circling the fictitious narrative that Rahul will be PM of India. Meanwhile, the @BJP-led NDA and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) have emerged as the dominant forces in the October 2026 by-elections, with all six constituencies across four states and Union Territories going in their favour. The results dealt a setback to Congress, TMC, DMK and AIADMK, none of which secured a victory. Governance is won through elections. Voting is power. Not trolling on X.

Honestly, if @RahulGandhi loved his country as much as he criticizes his country, and spent more time advancing the positives of the PM’s transformative policies, he could be taken seriously to lead India. But, I digress. PM Modi elected consistently over a span of 25 years, 12 years as PM, is not by chance. There is divinity attached to the PM’s longevity, real inspiration, in addition to his acumen as a serial visionary and global strategic force.

So carry on my dears with Rahul as your fictitious hero. PM Modi is India’s real hero. God bless you all. 🇺🇸🇮🇳

[Sann @san_x_m]

Elon Musk says oligarchs are blocking Starlink in India. Let me tell you what is really stopping it, and why India is right.

Starlink already has its Indian licence. It got the telecom licence in June 2025, space regulator approval in July 2025, and trial spectrum in September 2025.

What is pending is security clearance and FDI approval. Jio and OneWeb are waiting on the same rules. Nobody gets a shortcut.

And India has good reasons to be careful.

In November 2024, Indian agencies caught a boat near the Andaman Islands carrying around 6,000 kg of meth, the biggest drug haul in our history. The smugglers reportedly used a Starlink device to navigate. Police had to write to Starlink asking who bought it.

In December 2024, the Army seized a Starlink-like device along with weapons during a raid in Manipur. Musk said Starlink beams were turned off over India. A few weeks later, The Guardian reported that Starlink was working in parts of Manipur during internet shutdowns, with devices smuggled in from Myanmar.

In 2022 Ukraine, a country at war, asked Musk to extend Starlink coverage to Crimea for an attack on Russia's navy. He said no. One private businessman decided what a nation at war could do.

That is exactly why India is asking for three things. Indian data stays in India. Our agencies can legally monitor traffic, like with every telecom company. And the government can switch off service in a specific area during an emergency.

China doesn't allow Starlink at all and is building its own satellite networks. South Africa asked for local ownership like every other operator there, and Musk called it racism.

Even in America, the standard Starlink plan costs around 120 dollars a month, while normal fiber is 55 to 80 dollars and much faster. It works best where cable doesn't reach.

India needs satellite internet in its villages. Starlink is welcome. On India's terms, like everyone else.

This is not about oligarchs. It is about who holds the off switch to our internet.

[Sai Srikanth @naidus]

@annamalai_k Congratulations Bro! TamilNadu is blessed with your arrival. Here's to success in all your endeavors.