New York, September 27 :
In the next US presidential elections, members of the Indian diaspora are anticipated to have a substantial impact. About 5 million Americans identify as Indian, giving them considerable sway in close races in swing states.
The Indian diaspora is a rising and powerful force in the United States. Avinash Gupta, President of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), told ANI that although the Indian diaspora's percentage of the electorate is still small, it is growing into a substantial voting bloc, particularly in states that are considered to be swing states, such as Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Gupta, commenting on the importance of Indian voters, stated that their choices in the 60th quadrennial US presidential election, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, can influence the outcome of the closely contested races.
The Indian diaspora, according to Gupta, is dealing with a number of serious problems, the most pressing of which are concerns about immigration policy.
Immigration policy is a major concern for many in the Indian diaspora. Many people's main concerns revolve around immigration rules, such as those pertaining to family reunification, green card backlogs, and H1-B visa reforms. The present government is facilitating illegal immigration from both the north and the south, which is something we strongly oppose. We don't know who's coming in, so there's no screening process, which boosts crime rates and puts a strain on the economy. According to Gupta, they might have come from mental institutions or prisons.
He went on to say, "Healthcare, as many Indian Americans are professionals in healthcare, affordable healthcare and better working conditions for medical professionals are key issues." As a doctor, I've witnessed firsthand how our reimbursement has decreased while the costs associated with running our offices have skyrocketed. Tax cuts are another Republican policy priority. In contrast, Democrats "spend money from the rich and tax the poor."
The diaspora, many of whom are company owners, respond positively to policies that encourage economic growth, small business ownership, and entrepreneurship, according to Gupta, who was speaking on economic problems. The middle class is struggling to pay for necessities like food, gas, and medical care due to the high cost of living brought on by inflation brought on by the wars in Europe and the Middle East.
Gupta went on to say that for reasons related to his career and personal life, he thinks it's crucial for the United States and India to have good diplomatic and trade connections.
When it comes to topics like LGBTQ+ rights, religious freedom, and racial justice, Indian Americans of different generations tend to hold different opinions, with the younger ones being more progressive and the older ones being slightly more conservative. Gupta stated that Republicans enjoy support from our generation because of the emphasis on family values.
Indian-Americans are becoming an increasingly influential demographic in American politics, and as a result, both the Republican and Democratic parties are aggressively trying to win over this demographic. Not only are members of this community numerically influential, but they also provide substantial financial support to the two main political parties.
Indian-Americans have a pivotal role in deciding the president's fate because of the large numbers in these states: Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The growing number of Indian-Americans holding executive positions in the federal government and state legislatures is another evidence of the community's impact.
According to Gupta, the Indian diaspora has shown a clear preference for Democrats in the last election. Indian Americans were divided with Republican nominee Donald Trump's immigration policies and his seeming lack of interest in racial equality concerns; as a result, 74% of Indian Americans voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020.
A lot of people in the Indian American community find Kamala Harris appealing since she would be the first US vice president of Indian heritage, according to Gupta, who was speaking about the diaspora's feelings toward the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris. Representation and acknowledgment are symbolized by her inclusion on the Democratic ticket.
But according to the president of the FIA, Trump does have some Indian American fans, particularly among the more conservative and business-minded members of the community. Many people may become distant from him because of his controversial views on immigration and the divisions that his words seem to cause. His excellent relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his stern stance on China are both praised by some Indian Americans. "For reasons of economics and foreign policy, Trump may still appeal to some members of the community," Gupta stated.
At the same time, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently rallied the diaspora in the United States by stressing the diaspora's power and the significance of democracy.
When it comes to the next presidential elections, the Indian diaspora in the United States is split between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Gupta reports that there is a schism in the society, with some citizens doubting Harris's performance during the past four years.
Among the Indian diaspora, support for Donald Trump is higher than that for Kamala Harris. Since she has been in power for the past four years, why hasn't she fulfilled any of her promises? Conversely, in my opinion, no new battles will break out under Trump's presidency. Gupta predicted that the government will safeguard its borders, boost the economy and job market, and reduce inflation.
The Indian American community is robust and growing in influence in the United States, according to Jagdish Sewhani, president of the American India Public Affairs Committee, who spoke to ANI.
A matter of thousand votes will choose the next president of the United States in this extremely close election. Sewhani predicted that states with large Indian populations, such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, and Michigan, would have a significant impact on the outcome of the elections.
Sewhani went on to say that immigration would be the biggest problem facing Indian Americans. Naturally, immigration is the biggest issue among Indian Americans, and as a result, they will vote for the party that supports immigration the most. The state of the economy and the nature of the connection between the two countries are other key concerns. The role of the Indian American diaspora has been crucial in this. The global community stands to benefit much from the alliance between the United States and India.
The Indian American diaspora is divided, according to Sewhani, when asked about the next presidential elections and whether they should vote for Harris or Trump. Back in the day, the vast majority of Indian Americans cast their ballots for the Democrats. Indian American voters will play a pivotal role in the 2024 elections; all I can say is that this election is the closest one ever.
In an interview with ANI, Indian American community leader and Chairman of the Bihar Foundation USA (East Coast), Alok Kumar, said that Vice President Kamala Harris has the ability to break records as the first female president, representing the Black and Indian-American communities simultaneously.
According to him, "This is significant for Indian-Americans, as many may feel a personal connection to her heritage and the possibility of seeing someone with similar roots hold the highest office."
"Those who prioritize international diplomacy and cultural ties might also resonate with Trump's past alignment with PM Modi and his administration’s strong stance towards US-India relations," he added. Balancing cultural identity, political beliefs, and future hopes for US-India relations is a real problem for Indian-Americans in this election.
