Indian-Americans credited for strong US-India partnership

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Washington DC: India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the role of Indian-Americans in shaping and strengthening the relationship between the United States and India, and emphasized that this foundation has set the stage for an optimistic future for bilateral ties.

“The role, responsibility, contribution of the Indian diaspora to the US-India relationship is something fantastic. There are really no words that can capture it. And it is on that foundation that today, we are looking ahead for a new hope on the horizon,” Jaishankar said on September 30, 2023, at a community reception, Colors of Friendship, in India House.

He continued that there is a “Clear message today that our relationship is at an all-time high. But as they say, in America, you ain’t seen anything yet. So, we are going to take this relationship to a different level to a different place.”

“I think what has changed is India and the United States used to deal with each other. Today they work with each other…India and the United States have moved to a position where we really see each other as very desirable, optimal partners,” Jaishankar said while discussing the transformation in the US-India relationship, which he very much believes lies in the “Human bond” between two nations.

Indian Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Sandhu talked about the four Ds that brighten India-US Partnership – Diversity, Democracy, Development and Diaspora.

Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s quote “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems,” Sandhu added “This is so true of India-US relations too.”

While highlighting India’s success story, he pointed out that India is home to the third largest tech ecosystem, hosts the world’s largest renewable energy expansion program, runs the world’s largest financial inclusion program, operates the world’s largest health insurance program, stands as the largest producer of generic drugs globally, and is the largest producers of movies.

Sandhu went on to quote Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “When India grows the world grows, when India reforms the world transforms” while highlighting the successes of recent G20 presidency, Prime Minister Modi’s State visit, President Biden’s visit to India, and India’s active collaboration with the US on the Quad, I2U2, and the recently launched India Middle-East Europe Economic Corridor.

Congressman Shri Thanedar, D-Michigan, said he formed the first-ever Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain Caucus in the United States Congress, adding, “We will not tolerate any kind of hate. We will not tolerate any kind of bigotry against any religions that we practice…” The new Caucus will not only protect the Indian-American community but the rights and freedom of its children and grandchildren, Thanedar said.

White House Director of National Drug Control Policy, Dr. Rahul Gupta, stressed the core values taught by Mahatma Gandhi – truth, non-violence, compassion, and kindness. He also underscored other challenges relevant to today’s-society, including social isolation, deteriorating mental and physical health conditions.

Honoring Mahatma Gandhi on his birth celebrations, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Richard Verma said, “His life transformed the quest for social, economic, and racial justice on the Indian subcontinent and around the world. And in my own family, his teachings and ideas had a huge impact. My mother, trained as a social worker at Gandhi’s Sevagram Ashram. And my dad’s own writings were greatly influenced as a professor of South Asian literature.”

“But Gandhi’s impact on US-India bilateral relationship was also significant… the US-India relationship is built on shared ideas and yes, shared values too, top among those are commitment to democracy and social justice,” Verma added.

Recognizing the representation of Indian-Americans in the Biden-Harris administration, the White House Domestic Policy Advisor, Neera Tanden said, “You can’t throw a stone in the White House and not hit an Indian-American these days,” adding “As an immigrant when I first came to Washington, most people asked me why I was here and not working in medicine or in business… and I don’t get that question anymore. Because of really how much our community has honestly matured and recognized that we can participate and contribute in so many ways.”

Director of the National Science Foundation, S. Panchanathan, US Surgeon-General Vivek Murthy, Deputy CEO of the International Development Finance Corporation, Nisha Biswal, and Congressman (R-Georgia) Rich McCormick also addressed the gathering where community leaders, and Consuls General from Atlanta, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Houston were also present. On the occasion, several cultural performances were also presented.