US-India Partnership Summit 2024 highlights transformation in ties

Indian American lawmakers ask community to embrace their identity and confidently participate in the political process

By Arun Kumar

Stressing the importance of political involvement, Indian American lawmakers have called upon the community to embrace their identity and confidently participate in the American political process in greater numbers.

“If you don’t have a seat on the table, you’re on the menu,” said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi emphasizing the importance of Indian American political involvement.

“Not just Indians have arrived in America, but India has arrived on the world stage,” he said participating in US-India Partnership Summit 2024, hosted by the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) on Capitol Hill on June 13.

Krishnamoorthi urged the community to engage politically, stating, “It’s time to run for office… I don’t care if you’re a Republican, independent, or Democrat.”

Congressman Ro Khanna highlighted the progress of Indian American political engagement, noting, “It was not long ago that it was hard to get 5-6 Indian Americans to come to the Hill.” He encouraged the community to embrace their identity and confidently participate in the political process.

The summit featured impactful advocacy and discussions on key policy issues, according to an FIIDS media release. FIIDS Chief of Policy and Strategy, Khanderao Kand, highlighted their effective campaign, where, “over 135 Indian American delegates from 22 states met with more than 83 elected officials from 35 states.”

“They addressed topics like ICET and tech export exemption for India, elevating Major Defense Partner status of India, eliminating 7% per country quota to eliminate green card backlog and other immigration reforms, religious bias and hate crimes against Indian Americans, specifically Hindus, and Indo-Pacific security.”

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Nancy Jackson emphasized the significance of the US-India relationship, calling it “our most consequential relationship.”

Indian Chargé d’affaires Sripriya Ranganathan noted the transformation in US-India relations, stating, “The US-India relationship has transitioned from an era where we rarely agree to an era where we rarely disagree.” She praised FIIDS for strengthening this relationship and representing the Indian diaspora’s interests.

National Science Foundation Director Dr. Seturaman Panchanathan discussed the strategic collaborations between NSF and Indian institutions, emphasizing joint projects in areas like Arctic exploration and AI in agriculture.

US-India Business Council president Atul Keshap highlighted the contributions of Indian Americans, who, despite being only 1.5% of the US population, contribute 6% of the tax revenue. He advocated for ambitious efforts to maximize the potential of bilateral trade: “Let’s be more ambitious… so much more can energize our relationship.”

Congressman Dr. Rich McCormick called for a flexible immigration policy, stating, “We need a flexible, expansionist immigration policy for legal immigrants who do the right things.”

He introduced a bipartisan bill to eliminate the 7% cap on green cards and reduce the backlog, emphasizing, “In democracy, numbers matter, and as the Indian American community is now bigger than the Jewish community, I think you can impact the next presidential election.”

US India Strategic Partnership Forum CEO Dr. Mukesh Aghi underscored the multifaceted US-India relationship, emphasizing its geopolitical, economic, and domestic dimensions.

He noted significant economic contributions, including $122 billion in intellectual power and 300,000 chip designers, and stressed the importance of political engagement for continued growth.

Congressman Shri Thanedar expressed pride in FIIDS achievements leading the Indo-American community. He urged standing strong against hate and discrimination, reassuring that “You have a voice in the US Congress.”