Gates' comments to the Indian forum were mostly boilerplate remarks that he has consistently delivered on both sides of the Pacific. Gates is a longstanding opponent of a cap on H-1B visas and has on numerous occasions on that topic.

Earlier this week in the U.S., Gates continued to push for improvements to the educational system. In a speech Tuesday at the National Conference of State Legislatures in Philadelphia, the U.S. education system is in need of reform, citing poor college graduation rates in the country.

"America is a land of staggering opportunity," Gates said. "But if you want to make the most of this opportunity, high school is not enough, and some post secondary [education] is no longer enough. If you want to have the skills to build a career, or [to earn] the resources to raise a family, you need a two-year or four-year [college] degree."

An American Enterprise Institute report ( ) released last month showed that less than 60% of students entering four-year colleges graduate within six years. The percentage varied widely among the long list of institutions. For instance, 44% of freshmen students entering the University of Louisville graduate within six years. while 34% graduate in that time from the University of Memphis and 25% from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

"As a country, our performance at every level -- primary and secondary school achievement, high school graduation, college entry, college completion -- is dropping against the rest of the world," Gates said.