I. The Diaspora’s Apolitical Posture in the West
The Indian diaspora in the West—especially in the United States—remains largely apolitical when it comes to Indian regional and national elections. While anecdotal claims suggest some lean Republican, those leanings are surface-level and secondary to their core identity: a deep-rooted love for India. Even among second-generation expats, this bond remains palpable. Yet they are successful individuals—doctors, software engineers, truck drivers—who have earned their place through hard work, not political loyalty to any regime in India.
According to Carnegie Endowment surveys, Indian Americans are more liberal on U.S. domestic issues but tend to hold more conservative views on matters affecting India.¹ This dual outlook underlines their complex positioning. Despite having outsized professional accomplishments and visibility, Indian immigrants often avoid being co-opted as political tools. Their investments—emotional, economic, social—are rooted firmly in their lives here, not distant political machinations.
II. Politicians’ Dubious “NRI” Narratives
When Indian politicians reach out to the diaspora, proclaiming their unique connection or labeling them as untapped national assets, the result is more cringe than community-building. Prime Minister Modi’s emphasis—like Jaishankar’s declaration that 30 million overseas Indians include 15 million citizens of other countries—raises eyebrows.² It signals that diaspora individuals are potential mobilizable assets, to be called upon at will.
This approach risks alienating expatriate Indians. Indian-born citizens overseas have established lives, often integrated across politics, culture, and business in their adopted countries. Casting them as mere political instruments risks backlash from their local communities and stirs resentment. It trivializes years of hard-earned success and careful navigation as immigrants making their own paths.
III. Diaspora Accomplishment vs. Political Theater
When politicians claim credit for the diaspora’s achievements—“our diaspora’s CEOs are leading global firms!”—it may be salient domestically, bolstering nationalist pride. But internationally, especially in the U.S., such rhetoric quickly backfires. Indian Americans are citizens who contribute to their communities; to display their success as a political trophy on foreign stages is tone-deaf.
Modi’s state visit to the U.S., for example, while celebrated domestically, saw protests and unease among diaspora communities who felt the overt displays crossed a line between respectful recognition and political grandstanding.³ Indian Americans are proud of their heritage, but they expect to be engaged respectfully—not paraded as assets.
IV. Indian Americans: Influence vs. Instrumentalization
It is important to underscore that Indian Americans, though small in number, wield influence far beyond their demographic share. With over 4.4 million people of Indian origin in the U.S., representation includes senators, representatives, governors, and cabinet officials.⁴ Moreover, they hold top roles in leading American corporations.⁵ Still, their influence is built on merit—education, access to democratic systems, and cultural fluency—not because politicians remotely claim ownership.
Regarding political alignment, a Pew Research Center study found that 68% of registered Indian American voters identify as Democrats, with 29% identifying as Republicans.⁶ Their political preferences reflect U.S. priorities—education, healthcare, civil rights—not foreign directives. Diapora organizations like USINPAC (U.S.–India Political Action Committee) do lobby for policies such as immigration reform and U.S.–India cooperation.⁷ But their role is as stakeholder organizations operating within U.S. civic norms—not tools of nationalism.
V. Conclusion: Let the Diaspora Be
The Indian diaspora is not a trove of votes to be mined, nor a ready-made constituency to be commandeered at will. They are individuals who’ve built careers, communities, and families. To use them as props or claim them for political gain is to disrespect their complex identities and commitments. Instead, Indian politicians and national leaders should simply leave the diaspora alone—honoring them, acknowledging them, perhaps engaging them—but never using them.
They’ve become assets to those who employ them—be that tech firms, healthcare networks, transport unions—not to nationalists or electoral strategists. Celebrating diaspora success among Indians in India may serve internal consumption. But using that success to score diplomatic points or confront Western leaders only invites swift backlash. If there’s a lesson India should heed, it is this: dignity belongs to those who earn it. Let us celebrate that honor, not exploit it.
Footnotes
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Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Foreign Policy Attitudes of Indian Americans: 2024 Survey Results — available online.
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Le Monde, “The Indian diaspora in the U.S. has political influence beyond its demographic weight.”
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Time, “What Modi’s Visit to Washington Tells Us About Indian American Voters,” June 2023 — https://time.com/6141234/modi-us-visit-indian-american-voters/
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U.S. Indian-origin population and political representation data — Time (same as above)
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Ibid. (see footnote 4)
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Pew Research Center, “Indian Americans: Fastest-growing national origin group in the U.S.” — https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2024/05/06/indian-americans-fastest-growing-national-origin-group-in-u-s/
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Wikipedia entry for the United States–India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_India_Political_Action_Committee
