Published this week, the CIS report analysed US State Department data to show that F-1 student visas issued to Indian nationals fell 60 per cent and those to Chinese nationals declined 46 per cent compared with average levels from previous years. 01:41 Facing Maga anger, Trump defends move to admit thousands of Chinese studentsThe report said the decline, if sustained, could “greatly benefit American students and national security”. It argued that having fewer Chinese students in the United States could cut risks linked to technology transfer and espionage. It said the sharp drop in visas issued to Chinese students was not because any “spies” had been uncovered among them. “Rather, it is the direct result of a series of US political manoeuvres – suspending interviews, comprehensive social media screening, layered background checks and public statements advocating ‘enhanced scrutiny’ for students from specific countries,” the commentary said.