iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) held a policy and advocacy event in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area, drawing over 100 attendees, including community leaders, business professionals, and policy analysts.
The event aimed to anticipate policy shifts and strategize ways to advance U.S.-India relations while advocating for Indian American interests.
The evening featured thought-provoking discussions by prominent voices such as Dr. Rajeev Malhotra, Director of the Infinity Foundation; Vibhuji Jha, Founder of Jaipur Dialogue; Pradeep Gupta, CEO of Axis America Market Research; and Khanderao Kand, FIIDS Chief of Policy Analysis and Strategy.
Dr. Malhotra made a compelling case for the Indian American community to engage deeply with higher political circles. Sharing insights from his recent meeting, Malhotra pointed out that there is growing receptiveness within the political ecosystem towards Indian American issues. “Follow-ups and persistent engagement are crucial for achieving meaningful outcomes,” he remarked.
Jha brought an optimistic tone to the conversation, emphasizing President Trump’s pro-India stance. He underscored the potential for the administration to accelerate U.S.-India relations, citing Trump’s alignment with India on key global issues.
Gupta provided a unique perspective on the recent U.S. elections, sharing how his firm’s market research accurately predicted the results. He highlighted the opportunities that this new political landscape presents for Indian Americans to further their interests.
Khanderao Kand, President and Chief of Policy and Strategy at FIIDS, highlighted the positive implications of recent important appointments such as Tulsi Gabbard, Vivek Ramaswamy, Marco Rubio, Mike Waltz, and Sriram Krishnan.
“These appointments signal a stronger alignment on Indian American interests on critical global issues, including the U.S.-India partnership, Indo-Pacific strategy, South Asia, and even matters like the Ukraine war and Hamas attacks,” Kand noted. He also anticipated the administration’s better stance on protecting minority rights in Bangladesh, Pakistan and their critical view of Canada, aligning with diaspora concerns.
However, Kand did not shy away from outlining the challenges ahead. He stressed the need to focus on tech immigration, particularly H1B visas and green card backlogs. He also pointed out that while President Biden’s ICET initiative had laid an important foundation for U.S.-India technology partnerships, it would require concrete actions under the new administration to realize its full potential. Strengthening the Quad alliance and Indo-Pacific collaborations was another area he urged the administration to prioritize.
The discussions were also an opportunity for FIIDS to showcase its recent advocacy efforts. The organization highlighted its 2024 Advocacy Day, where 150 delegates from 22 states met with nearly 100 members of Congress to promote U.S.-India partnerships in areas such as critical minerals, immigration reforms, and combating religious phobia. FIIDS also placed four interns in Congress this year, reflecting its commitment to nurturing the next generation of policymakers and leaders within the Indian American community.
The event underscored the growing importance of U.S.-India relations and the need for sustained advocacy to address challenges facing the diaspora. As Kand aptly put it, “The Indian American community is at a pivotal moment. We must continue to build awareness, engage at the highest levels, and ensure our voices are heard.” He observed that the Department of State’s first bilateral meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and first international alliance meeting on Quad is a positive signal of the administration’s intent to prioritize India in its diplomatic and strategic engagements. He emphasized that FIIDS remains committed to its mission of strengthening the U.S.-India partnership and advocating for Indian Americans at every level.
This event was a result of collaborative efforts by Ravindra Shukla, Narsimha Koppula, Ashwin Reddy, Pranay Kohli, and Himanshu Shukla.
(Photo courtesy: x.com/FIIDSUSA)
