Observing that the H-1B visa programme is "important" to the United States, President George W Bush has said that he is opposed to efforts to scrap the programme, under which thousands of Indian information technology experts are working in the US.

"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 in New York.

The President's comments came 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 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.