Representative Image of Indian diaspora in USA / Courtesy: AI-generated

Indian Americans have become integral contributors to the fabric of American society, from Silicon Valley to Capitol Hill, from medicine to the arts. Yet our growing prominence has also made us a target for online hatred and misinformation that echoes troubling rhetoric heard around the globe.

At Indiaspora, we believe our community's greatest strength lies not in retreating from these challenges, but in doubling down on what has always defined us: bridging divides, fostering dialogue across political lines, and serving as a force for good in America towards India and worldwide.

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We are nonpartisan, yet we actively encourage political discussion and civic engagement, because they are essential to any community that seeks to contribute positively to public discourse. Indian Americans are a richly diverse community, with a wide range of cultures, languages, and political views. We are delighted to see Indian Americans participating in civic engagement at the federal, state, and local levels.

We recognize that we operate in a polarized political environment, which makes it even more important to maintain open channels of communication with both major political parties and within our own community. That does not prevent us from finding common ground or tackling issues that matter deeply to Indian Americans.

In 2013, Indiaspora hosted a Presidential Inaugural Ball, the first of its kind to highlight the importance of the Indian American community on a national stage. Since then, we have convened several events featuring prominent Democrats and Republicans, who value that our work is focused on bringing people together and advancing the community’s interests regardless of which party is in power. Communication, trust, and relationships all play a pivotal role in advancing causes but also mitigating tension.

As a community, we have rightfully championed our successes, both as individuals and as a proud immigrant story in the United States. But it is equally important to focus on our service to this country. We are grateful to the many Indian Americans who make charitable contributions that directly benefit all Americans and to those who give their time, energy, and effort to improve lives across our communities.

According to the Indiaspora Impact Report developed in partnership with Boston Consulting Group, Indian Americans gave US $1.5 billion to philanthropy efforts in the U.S. in 2023 and over US $3 billion to U.S. universities since 2008. A helping hand is universally appreciated, and when non-Indians see that we are invested in the well-being of all Americans, we make a statement that transcends any financial contribution.

This includes serving as clear representatives of all Americans in government. It is incumbent upon our community to encourage active voting among Indian Americans. Are we doing enough to get our community registered to vote? Are we engaging each other on issues beyond India? We cannot be passive about American government. The minimum we can do for civic participation is to encourage others to show up, vote, and engage in the democratic process.

Regardless of political affiliation, when Indian Americans show a desire to serve their local communities, they are building bridges with all Americans. which has the follow-on effect of strengthening U.S.-India relations. Leaders in India see the Indian-origin diaspora as represented and respected, which improves their trust in working with the United States.

In recent months, Indiaspora has intensified its efforts to combat online hatred directed at Indian Americans. We created a dedicated Twitter/X account called Real Indian Americans (@RealIndianAM) to counter online hate and misinformation with verified facts about Indian Americans, choosing polite, constructive engagement over name-calling.

Our mission is to inspire and position the diaspora to be a force for good not only in America but around the world. Indiaspora is a platform, an incubator, a facilitator, and a convener. Our work includes engagement with leaders in India.

By collaborating with Indian leaders on philanthropy, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and other emerging areas, we help the Indian diaspora act as a living bridge that advances the long-term interests of both the United States and India. We are the largest diaspora in the world, and we are grateful to see the community both thrive and contribute to its resident countries while also growing ties with India.

MR Rangaswami is the founder and chairman of Indiaspora.

Sanjeev Joshipura serves as the executive director of Indiaspora.

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of India Abroad.)

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