How is Indians’ Influence on the Rise in US Politics?

The influence of Indian-Americans in U.S. politics is on the rise, with prominent figures like Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy, both presidential hopefuls, and Usha Vance, wife of Senator J.D. Vance, Donald Trump's vice-presidential pick.

This development marks a significant milestone as Usha Vance becomes the first Indian-American and devout Hindu in this prominent role, underscoring the increasing presence of Indian-Americans in the political arena.

Indian Influx

As of now, an Indian-origin woman will either continue to serve in the White House or assume the position of the second lady, reflecting the growing political rise of the Indian-American community.

This community has seen substantial growth and influence over the past decade, with Kamala Harris paving the way in 2021 as the first person of Indian descent, as well as the first woman and black person, to hold the vice-presidency.

Harris's current presidential bid follows Joe Biden's withdrawal, marking another significant moment for Indian-Americans in politics.

The 2024 election cycle is notable for featuring two Indian-American candidates, Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy, a first in U.S. history.

According to AAPI Data, Indian-Americans now hold five seats in Congress and nearly 40 positions in state legislatures, the highest representation among any Asian-American group in the country.

Additionally, recent census data reveals that Indian-Americans have surpassed Chinese-Americans as the largest Asian group in the U.S. among those who identify with a single country of origin, with nearly 4.4 million people identifying as Indian in 2020.

The influx of Indian immigrants, particularly after the 1965 immigration reform, has contributed to this demographic shift.

This law dismantled previous restrictions that had excluded Asians and other groups, leading to a significant increase in the Indian population, particularly in the tech industry, where American companies have actively sought highly educated Indian professionals.

Indian-Americans stand out as the wealthiest and most educated Asian group in the U.S. Their high levels of political and civic engagement can be attributed to their democratic roots and proficiency in English.

Karthik Ramakrishnan, founder and CEO of AAPI Data, notes that Indian Americans are a growing force in American politics, highlighting their rising influence and active participation in the democratic process.

Immigration Act

The recent surge in the Indian-American population is a notable development. When Shyamala Gopalan, Kamala Harris's mother, arrived in 1958 to pursue a graduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley, she was among only 12,000 Indian immigrants in the United States.

The Immigration Act of 1965, which abolished country-of-origin quotas favoring Europeans, catalyzed a significant wave of Indian immigration.

Many Indians, after completing their studies, found employment and secured legal permanent residency through their employers.

Others were brought to the United States by corporations and institutions for highly skilled jobs.

Usha Vance’s father, Krish Chilukuri, a mechanical engineer educated at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, and her mother, Lakshmi Chilukuri, a biologist and current dean at the University of California, San Diego, exemplify this trend.

Growing up in Rancho Penasquitos, an affluent suburb of San Diego, Usha and her sister, Shreya, spoke both Telugu and English at home.

The Chilukuris belonged to a close-knit group of six South Indian families, most of whom were engineers or teachers. Despite multiple attempts, Vance and her parents did not respond to interview requests.

Rami Reddy Mutyala, chairman of the board of directors of Shri Mandir, a local Hindu temple the Chilukuris occasionally visit, noted that San Diego’s Indian community expanded from about 200 families in the mid-1980s to around 40,000 today, mirroring the broader growth of the Indian population nationwide.

The Chilukuri family, like many first-generation immigrants, initially had limited political engagement. However, recent voter registration records indicate that Vance’s parents are Democrats, aligning with the majority of Indian Americans.

In 2017, Lakshmi Chilukuri joined over 2,300 California college professors in signing an open letter to President Trump, urging him not to withdraw from the Paris climate accords.

Democrat or Republican

Indian Americans have demonstrated high voter turnout rates among Asian groups in presidential elections, reliably supporting the Democratic Party, which they perceive as more inclusive and supportive of social safety net policies.

Over the years, the Democratic Party has invested heavily in courting Asian American voters.

However, recent surveys indicate a shift, with declining support for President Biden among Indian Americans and a growing number identifying as independents

 Should Biden not run in 2024, Kamala Harris would be a likely candidate, potentially becoming the first Indian-American presidential nominee.

The Republican Party, recognizing this shift, sees the potential to attract Indian Americans by addressing issues like family, education, and immigration.

Despite the party’s strong ties to Christianity, some Republican leaders are actively seeking to engage with people of other faiths, reflecting the increasing political engagement and diversity within the Indian-American community.

Until recently, prominent Indian Americans in the Republican Party who were not Christians were a rarity.

Bobby Jindal, a Republican from Louisiana who ran for president in the 2016 cycle, was raised Hindu but identifies as an “evangelical Catholic.”

Similarly, Nikki Haley, another notable Republican, was raised Sikh before converting to Christianity.

However, in a candid interview on “Fox & Friends” last month, Usha Vance emphasized the importance of her Hindu faith in her upbringing.

Her husband, J.D. Vance, was raised Protestant and converted to Catholicism in 2019.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a Yale Law School classmate of the Vance and a Trump aide, has also cautiously acknowledged his Hindu faith on the presidential campaign trail.

Vance’s prominent role might attract some Indian-American voters and donors, though recent surveys of Asian-American voters show that the decline in support for President Biden among Indian-Americans has not corresponded with a significant increase in support for Donald Trump.

However, Lobo was unequivocal about her feelings toward Mr. Vance’s running mate. “I don’t like Donald Trump. I never liked him,” she stated. Reflecting further, she added, “I don’t like the way he treats people.”

Vance remains a political enigma. She was a registered Democrat until at least 2014, according to voter registration records.

Despite her husband’s transformation from a “never Trump” critic to a staunch supporter of the former president, she has largely remained silent about her own political views.