The Indian diaspora is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming US presidential elections. With approximately 5 million people of Indian descent living in the US, they have the potential to swing votes in key battleground states.

“The Indian diaspora is a growing and influential community in the US, and while their overall share of the electorate is still relatively small, they are becoming a significant voting bloc, especially in key swing states like Texas, Georgia, and Pennsylvania,” told Avinash Gupta, President of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) to ANI.

Speaking on the significance of Indian voters, Gupta said that their voting preferences can make a difference in closely contested elections set to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the 60th quadrennial US presidential election.

Gupta said that the Indian diaspora community is grappling with several key issues, particularly those related to immigration policies.

“Some of the key issues for the Indian diaspora are immigration policies. Given that many are immigrants or have close ties to immigration, policies related to family reunification, green card backlogs, and H1-B visa reforms are often of primary concern. Also, we don’t support illegal immigration, which is happening under current administration from both southern and northern borders. It puts a lot of economic burden and increases crime rates as they are not vetted and we don’t know who is coming in. They may be from prisons or mental asylums,” Gupta said.

He further added, “Healthcare, as many Indian Americans are professionals in healthcare, affordable healthcare and better working conditions for medical professionals are key issues. Being a doctor myself, I have seen our reimbursement go down and the overhead to run our practices have significantly gone up. Republicans are also for lower taxes. Whereas Democrats tax the rich and spend on the poor.”

Speaking on economic issues, Gupta said, “Policies that support economic growth, small business ownership, and entrepreneurship resonate well with the diaspora, many of whom are business owners. Wars in Middle East and Europe have significantly caused inflation, and middle-class people are having a hard time making ends meet, whether it is groceries, gas or essential goods like medical care.”

Gupta further asserted that US-India relations and strong diplomatic and trade relations between the US and India are important for both personal and professional reasons.

“Indian Americans tend to have diverse views on issues like racial justice, religious freedoms, and LGBTQ+ rights, with younger generations leaning more liberal and older generations being somewhat more conservative. Our generation in particular stresses family values and likes Republicans for that reason,” Gupta said.

Both major parties — Republicans and Democrats, are actively courting the Indian-American vote, recognising the community’s growing influence in US politics. The community’s influence extends beyond mere numbers, as they are also significant financial contributors to both major parties.

Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have sizable Indian-American populations, making them crucial in determining the outcome of the presidential election. The community’s influence is also evident in the increasing number of Indian-American leaders in Congress and state governorships.

Gupta said that the Indian diaspora tends to lean towards Democrats in recent elections. In 2020, about 74 per cent of Indian Americans voted for US President Joe Biden, partly because of their disapproval of Republican nominee Donald Trump’s stance on immigration and perceived indifference to racial equality issues.

Regarding diaspora views on Democrat nominee, Kamala Harris, Gupta said, “As the first person of Indian descent to serve as US Vice President, Kamala Harris holds a special appeal for many in the Indian American community. Her presence on the Democratic ticket symbolises representation and recognition.”

However, the FIA President said that Trump has supporters within the Indian American community, especially those who are more conservative or business-oriented. “His hardline stance on immigration and the perceived divisiveness of his rhetoric may alienate many. However, some Indian Americans appreciate his strong relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and his tough stance on China is viewed favourably by some. Trump may still attract a segment of the community for economic and foreign policy reasons,” said Gupta.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rallied the Indian community in the US, highlighting the importance of democracy and the power of the diaspora recently.

The Indian diaspora in the US is torn between supporting Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential elections. According to Gupta, the community is divided, with some questioning Harris’s effectiveness during her previous four years in power.

“Indian diaspora is divided between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The question is, if she was in power for last four years, why did she not do any of the things she is promising to do? On the other hand, I personally feel, if Trump is elected, wars will end, no new wars will happen. Inflation will ease, job situation and economy will improve and borders will be secured,” said Gupta.

Meanwhile, Jagdish Sewhani, President of the American India Public Affairs Committee told ANI that Indian American community is strong and they are rising in political power here in the US.

“This election is a very close election and few thousand votes will decide who is going to be next president of the US. The battle ground states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Michigan have substantial Indian population, so there vote will be decisive and will be key factor in elections,” Sewhani said.

Sewhani further asserted that the main issue for Indian Americans would be immigration. “The major issue for Indian American of course is immigration and they will support the party which is pro-immigration. Another major issue is the economy and bilateral relationship between two countries. Indian American diaspora has played very important role in this. US-India partnership is very consequential, not only for India and the US but for the whole world.”

Speaking on the upcoming presidential elections, Sewhani said, “As for voting for Harris or Trump is concerned, I would say Indian American diaspora is divided. There was a time when majority of Indian Americans were voting for the Democratic Party… All I can say is it is the most tight and close election ever and Indian American voters will be key deciding factor in 2024 elections.”

Alok Kumar, Indian American community leader, Chairman, Bihar Foundation USA (East Coast) told ANI that Vice President Kamala Harris brings the potential to make history as the first female president, representing both the Black and Indian-American communities.

He said, “This is significant for Indian-Americans, as many may feel a personal connection to her heritage and the possibility of seeing someone with similar roots hold the highest office.”

He added, “Trump’s past alignment with PM Modi and his administration’s strong stance towards US-India relations might also resonate with those who prioritise international diplomacy and cultural ties. This election indeed presents a challenge for Indian-Americans, as they balance their cultural identity, political values, and future aspirations for US-India relations.” (ANI)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe convened with members of Sri Lanka’s diaspora community in Perth, Australia this morning (Feb 09).

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), during the meeting, the President provided an update on the nation’s recovery efforts and discussed strategies for modernizing the economy.

Throughout the discussions, the diaspora voiced their eagerness to assist the Government in advancing economic development across various sectors, such as climate change and tourism.

Additionally, the President’s Chief-of-Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka, detailed plans for establishing the Office of Overseas Sri Lankans. He emphasized that this initiative would provide an avenue for the diaspora to engage constructively with the Government.

In response to various inquiries, the President affirmed the government’s dedication to executing longstanding policies.

Additionally, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry, provided further insight into initiatives aimed at facilitating programs in Sri Lanka that are backed by Sri Lankan expatriates.

Sagala Ratnayaka also underscored the ongoing IMF program, emphasizing the importance of the diagnostics report released last year. He appealed for the continued backing of the Sri Lankan diaspora in carrying forward the reform program.

Meanwhile, the President explained the efforts to revamp Sri Lanka’s education system, which includes plans for introducing private universities.

Accompanying the President were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief-of-Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia, Chitranganee Wagiswara, Member of Parliament Chinthaka Mayadunna and Sri Lanka’s Counsel General to Western Australia. (NewsWire)

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Being part of the diaspora does not make someone an extremist or anti-Sri Lankan, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka said.

Ratnayake clarified that any Sri Lankan living in another country, regardless of ethnicity or religion, is part of the diaspora. 

Stressing the negative perception associated with the term “diaspora” in Sri Lanka, Ratnayaka acknowledged historical events in Sri Lanka that have created distance between the country and its people, especially those living abroad. 

He highlighted the challenges faced by those in the diaspora who want to contribute to the country’s development but encounter bureaucratic obstacles.

Ratnayake emphasized the importance of engaging the diaspora and creating an environment that encourages their return and investment.

Sagala Ratnayaka made the remarks while addressing International Migrant Day at the President’s Office on Monday (Dec 18). 

Sagala Ratnayake also inaugurated the official website, https://oosla.lk/ for the Office of Overseas Sri Lankan Affairs.

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Lakshman Samaranayake. In recognition of the exemplary services rendered by the Office of Sri Lankan Affairs Abroad, Sagala Ratnayake, along with Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, presented Professor Samaranayake with a commemorative memento as a token of appreciation.

Ratnayaka further said that the establishment of the Office for Overseas Sri Lankan Affairs (OOSLA) aligns with the broader economic reform process in Sri Lanka. While emphasizing the need for transparency, Ratnayaka underscored the importance of offering a level playing field and attractiveness to make Sri Lanka an appealing place for investment opportunities, attracting Sri Lankans living abroad to invest in the country.

The concept behind OOSLA was to create an overarching office that engages with the entire Sri Lankan diaspora. The aim is to assist Sri Lankans living abroad with issues like dual citizenship, passport renewals and obtaining information about their relations, with the broader goal of bringing together all Sri Lankans to contribute to the country’s development.

Ratnayaka acknowledged the challenges faced by Sri Lanka, including economic difficulties, and expressed optimism about the future, anticipating rapid growth by the end of 2024 or early 2025. He emphasized the need for collective effort and clear communication to ensure citizens understand the government’s commitment to improving their lives.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry, addressing the gathering, emphasized the significance of International Migrants Day, highlighting the challenges and opportunities associated with migration. The Minister underscored the need for Sri Lanka to proactively engage with its diaspora, including both permanent migrants and temporary workers abroad.

The Foreign Minister acknowledged Sri Lanka’s historical ties with migration, noting the shift from inward migration to the current trend of outward migration. He emphasized the challenges faced by those who have migrated and expressed the importance of creating conditions that encourage them to return to their homeland.

Minister Ali Sabry stressed the need to recognize the contributions of Sri Lankan migrants, both permanent residents and temporary workers. He highlighted the importance of providing them with respect, dignity, and a sense of belonging, in line with the principles outlined in the country’s constitution.

He discussed the establishment of the Office of Overseas Sri Lankans (OOSLA) as a significant step towards addressing the concerns and needs of the diaspora.

Minister Sabry announced the approval of a new law establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission with significant powers, including the ability to provide reparations, locate missing persons, and initiate prosecutions. He sees this as a positive step towards creating a conducive environment for fair living in the country.

The Minister highlighted efforts to modernize services for expatriates, mentioning the aim to make all services, including immigration-related processes, accessible online. This move is intended to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and facilitate smoother interactions for Sri Lankans living abroad.

Addressing the gathering Director General of the OOSLA V. Krishnamurthy, highlighted that in accordance with the vision of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the office commenced its operations in January 2023. He emphasized that December 18 holds particular significance as it marks the opportune day to introduce the institution to the global Sri Lankan community.

Krishnamurthy further noted that the diaspora, numbering close to 3 million, Sri Lankans who have relocated abroad for diverse reasons, has significantly influenced and contributed to the country’s economy. This acknowledgment underscores the profound impact and positive role played by this expatriate community during the preceding period.

The event garnered participation from a distinguished assembly, including Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and Secretaries of Ministries representing foreign countries. Additionally, a substantial number of Sri Lankans residing abroad engaged in the proceedings through online technology. (NewsWire)

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