In a time of global political shifts, the Indian American community in the United States finds itself at a pivotal intersection of cultural heritage and political identity. A recent survey reveals that around 60% of Indian Americans actively follow Indian government and public affairs, while a substantial segment engages only sporadically. This diversity in engagement reflects the broader political divisions within the community, which is split along partisan lines, with Democrats showing empathy for Palestinians, and Republicans leaning pro-Israel.
The survey highlights a growing optimism among Indian Americans about India's direction, with 47% believing the country is on the right track—a 10 percentage point increase from four years ago. Despite this optimism, concerns persist over the potential impact of a second Donald Trump administration on U.S.-India relations. Indian Americans rated the Biden administration's handling of these relations more favorably compared to Trump's first term.
The political allegiance of Indian Americans remains predominantly Democratic, although this attachment has weakened. In 2024, 47% identify as Democrats, down from 56% in 2020. Meanwhile, support for Republicans under Trump has grown among a sizeable minority, with around 30% backing the party. The community remains diverse, with varying political views and experiences shaping their perspectives.
Milan Vaishnav, a prominent observer of the community's political dynamics, noted:
"Second, this is a diverse diaspora with a range of political views. While Indian Americans lean overwhelmingly toward the Democratic Party, a very sizeable minority – we estimate around 30% in 2024 – support the Republicans under Trump."
The survey also explored perceptions of U.S. foreign policy, revealing that four in ten respondents believe President Biden has been too pro-Israel in the ongoing conflict. Yet, half of Indian-American Democrats support Biden, compared to only 15% of Republicans.
Direct engagement with India varies within the community, with foreign-born Indian Americans typically more involved than their U.S.-born counterparts. Vaishnav commented on this trend:
"Direct engagement with India is more limited, with foreign-born Indian Americans typically more involved than those born in the US."
Despite these variations in direct engagement, cultural bonds remain strong across generations of Indian Americans. Vaishnav observed:
"Having said that, one should not overlook the fact that the bonds of cultural connectivity remain quite strong, even with second and third-generation Indian Americans."
As Indian Americans navigate their dual identities, they express deep concerns about how a second Trump administration might affect bilateral ties. During polling, a hypothetical Kamala Harris administration was viewed more favorably for U.S.-India relations than a potential second Trump term.
The community is divided on whether India's interests would benefit from another Trump presidency. A narrow majority believes it would not be advantageous.
Vaishnav elaborated on the complexity of these perspectives:
"In other words, a person's majority or minority status plays a key role in shaping their political views."
This nuanced landscape underscores the challenge of generalizing about the political leanings of Indian Americans. Vaishnav cautioned against drawing broad conclusions from singular events:
"we should not generalise from one event or even one segment of the Indian American population. More than 50,000 Indian Americans gathered at 'Howdy, Modi!' first and foremost to see Modi, not Trump. Recall that Trump was added at a later date."
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