New York: Observing that the H-1B visa programme is "important" to US, President George W Bush has said that he is opposed to the efforts to scrap the programme, under which thousands of Indian Information Technology (IT) experts have been brought to the United States.

"The H-1B programme is important to the US. I understand the current cap is approximately 200,000, and I will seek to maintain a strong H-1B programme," Bush was quoted as saying by the 'India Abroad' newspaper.

The President's comments were made during an interaction with Indian-Americans on the occasion of a Bush-Cheney fund-raiser reception recently.

When asked about H-1B Bills on the Floor of the House of Representatives, especially the Resolution 2688 moved by Republican Congressman Thomas Tancredo seeking to terminate the H-1B programme, Bush said, "Tancredo and me are at opposite ends of the pole. I fully do not support Congressman Tancredo's Bill against H-1Bs."

Paresh Shah, a participant, raised the issue with Bush on behalf of an eight-member Indian delegation at Jackson, Mississippi, at the reception attended by top contributors who donated $ 10,000 each.

PTI