by ASHWIN MURTHY
The political ideologies embraced by Indian Americans in the U.S. often diverge from their opinions on similar issues in the Indian political scenario
The Indian American paradox
As India and the United States gear up for pivotal elections this year, the role of Indian Americans in shaping the political landscape of both nations has never been more pronounced.
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Modi have transcended national boundaries in their election campaign by visiting the U.S. to court the diaspora. American landmarks from the Golden Gate Bridge to Times Square often serve as rallying points for impassioned discussions on Indian issues, such as witnessed during the recent inauguration of the Ayodhya temple.
In the mosaic of American politics, Indian Americans are leaving an undeniable imprint. From a solitary representative in 2013, the community has experienced a seismic shift, culminating in the historic election of Vice President Kamala Harris in 2020 and the tantalizing prospect of an Indian American Vice President in 2024 too.
Yet, beneath this narrative of progress lies a disconcerting paradox: the political ideologies embraced by Indian Americans in the United States often sharply diverge from their opinions on similar issues in the Indian political scenario, revealing a troubling hypocrisy that merits examination.
Leaning left in America
Like most other minority ethnicities, Indian Americans in the U.S. consistently lean left. The 2020 elections showcased this trend vividly, with a staggering 72% of Indian American voters supporting the Biden-Harris ticket. Analysis such as those by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the BBC suggests that this preference is largely driven by concerns over xenophobia, majoritarianism, and the perceived entrenchment of Christian and White fundamentalism within the Republican Party.
The exuberant reception that Prime Minister Narendra Modi received from the diaspora during his 2023 visit to the U.S. underscores his popularity among Indian Americans. Prime Minister Modi undoubtedly deserves credit for his growth-oriented vision for India. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that his popularity among the diaspora is ironically also fuelled by the same ethno-nationalist politics that the diaspora shies away from in the US political landscape.
Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (B.J.P) and its allies have openly espoused a vision of India as a Hindu nation, a stance that goes even beyond Trump’s xenophobic rhetoric.
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