ADVERTISEMENTs
Make noise in Washington: Indian American leader urges policy-driven engagement
Swadesh Chatterjee urges the diaspora to move beyond donations and strengthen political visibility through policy dialogues with lawmakers.
-
1749497506.png)
Malvika Choudhary - Tue, 07, Oct 2025
- 18:23 EDT
- 29
Swadesh Chatterjee / File Photo
Swadesh Chatterjee, a prominent Indian American leader, has urged the Indian diaspora in the United States to "make more noise in Washington," encouraging the community to go beyond writing checks and take a more active role in shaping US-India relations through policy discussions.
At the India Abroad Dialogue titled "Speaking Up or Staying Quiet? Diaspora Perspectives on U.S. and India” on Oct. 7, Chatterjee said, ““Let us not be just an ATM machine to give money to politicians.”
“We should ask what we are getting from this money—not just keep the photo in the living room and have a personal relationship. That is important, but we have to go beyond that.”
According to him, Indian Americans have been instrumental in transforming bilateral ties but must now consolidate that influence through sustained political engagement.
Underscoring the importance of grassroots advocacy, Chatterjee said visibility in local politics was key. “Every politics is local. You have to be visible in the local community — to the Attorney General, to the Governor, to the Congressman, to the Senator — so that you can influence. Our voice is very important.”
The partnership between the two nations has transcended beyond the confines of government corridors, according to Chatterjee, the chair of the U.S.-India Friendship Council. “The relationship is not just between Foggy Bottom and South Block anymore,” he noted. “When the relationship goes south, we are there to hold it. We were not there before.”
Pointing to the community’s growing economic clout, he said Indian Americans must leverage that influence strategically. “We are affluent. We contribute so much to this country. We have to make sure we are heard. We have to make more noise in Washington—and that noise can be made in different ways.”
Citing the Howdy, Modi rally in Houston as an example of visibility, Chatterjee said symbolic gestures alone are not enough. “We did Howdy Modi, and everybody saw that Trump was in Ahmedabad—it looked like the relationship would go on. But look what happened. So this one time Diwali or Holi is not going to cut it. That noise-making must continue.”
Chatterjee expressed optimism despite the current tensions in U.S.-India ties. “I am very proud to be an American of Indian origin,” he said. “What I have seen is how U.S.–India relations have evolved. I am very optimistic, but these relations cannot be on autopilot. We, as a diaspora, have a big role to play—and we have played and will play more.”
“India is not the same India you can bully anymore. Things will be different—we’ll be talking differently next year, or the year after,” he concluded.
Related
.jpg)
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
ADVERTISEMENT
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login