With less than three weeks remaining until the November 5th Presidential election in the United States, both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are making significant efforts to engage a diverse voter base, including women, Black voters, Latino Americans, Arab Americans, and Indian Americans.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the U.S. Congress in June of last year, he notably highlighted Vice President Kamala Harris and her Indian heritage, stating, “There are millions here who have roots in India. Some of them proudly sit in this chamber, and there is one right behind me, who has made history.” This acknowledgment reflects the increasing importance of Indian Americans in U.S. politics.
Currently, there are approximately five Indian Americans serving in the U.S. Congress and nearly 40 in state legislatures. Indian American voters boast the highest voting rates among Asian American groups. However, they do not vote uniformly for a single party; rather, they exhibit diverse preferences like any other demographic group.
Yogi Chug, a businessman, said, “More Indians are running for public office… there is a lot more engagement than 10 years ago.” Ajay Botharia, an IT professional, added, “We are campaigning and knocking on doors, especially for Kamala’s campaign because her mom is Indian.”
Dr. Romesh K. Japra, a cardiologist, emphasized the bipartisan interest in the Indian American vote, stating, “In the current election scenario, both Republicans and Democrats are courting us.”
KP Maheshwari, a finance professional, remarked, “Indians are now influencing elections as a voter base… There are legislations threatening us, so we are playing an important part.”
As Indian Americans continue to emerge as a significant political force, their participation in the upcoming election could prove pivotal.
By Amritpal Singh ( DD India)