Krishna Srinivasa’s influence spanned critical milestones in US-India relations

Srinivasa was instrumental in creating a platform in the mid-1980s for Indian Americans to engage directly with US lawmakers

By Sambhu Banik

Dr Krishna V. Srinivasa, a prominent Indian American political activist, community leader, and entrepreneur, passed away on Nov 18 at the age of 80 after suffering a stroke while returning from a cruise in Florida. His passing marks the end of an era for the Indian American community and for US-India relations, where he played a pivotal role for decades.

Srinivasa was a trailblazer in the field of software development and IT staffing, founding Professional Consulting Services, a pioneering company that introduced Indian programmers to the United States in the 1980s. This initiative not only paved the way for countless careers but also helped establish a foundation for what would become a robust Indian American presence in the IT industry.

READ: Indian American community leader Krishna Srinivasa passes (November22nd, 2024) 

Among his many contributions to the field, Srinivasa mentored numerous IT entrepreneurs, including supporting the early US operations of Tata Consulting Services (TCS), which grew into one of the world’s leading IT service providers.

As the Executive Director of the US-India Security Council, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit, Srinivasa tirelessly championed closer ties between the security communities of the United States and India. His dedication to fostering collaboration between the two democracies extended beyond defense.

Srinivasa worked closely with several US presidents, including Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush, and George W Bush, as well as with influential lawmakers such as Newt Gingrich, Senator John McCain, and Congressman Gary Ackerman, to advance US-India relations.

His efforts were equally valued in India, where he maintained strong relationships with prime ministers like Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh, and Narendra Modi.

Srinivasa’s influence spanned critical milestones in US-India relations. He played a key role in negotiating with the Indian government to allow American planes to refuel in India during the Gulf War under President George HW Bush.

He also contributed significantly to the passage of the US-India Civil Nuclear Deal, working closely with Senator John McCain to advance the strategic defense agreement between the two nations.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Srinivasa was deeply involved in the Indian American community. As President of the Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE) in the mid-1980s, he introduced the popular Congressional Luncheon series, creating a platform for Indian Americans to engage directly with US lawmakers.

This initiative helped cement the community’s growing political influence. He also served as a delegate to the National White House Conference on Small Business during President Reagan’s administration.

Personally, I owe a great debt of gratitude to Srinivasa. His guidance through the White House personnel system was instrumental in my appointments under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush.

Srinivasa was not only a visionary leader but also a warm, fun-loving individual whose sense of humor and optimism were infectious. His tireless advocacy for closer US-India ties and his mentorship of countless community leaders have left a lasting legacy.

Dr Krishna V. Srinivasa will be deeply missed. His contributions to US-India relations and the Indian American community were immeasurable, and his memory will continue to inspire generations to come. Rest in peace, dear friend.

(Sambhu Banik IS a prominent Indian American community leader in the Washington, DC, area)