Shashi Tharoor Highlights Indian-American Silence Amid US-India Relations
On Tuesday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor raised concerns about the quiet stance of the Indian-American community regarding issues impacting U.S.-India relations. This statement came as he welcomed a five-member Congressional delegation from the U.S. to New Delhi.
Tharoor mentioned during a press interaction, “It’s surprising that the Indian-American diaspora hasn’t been more vocal. One congresswoman noted that her office hasn’t received a single call from an Indian-American voter urging her to support a change in policy.”
The delegation, primarily Democrats from California and led by Indian-origin Congressman Ami Bera, conveyed significant interest in strengthening ties with India. Tharoor pointed out that while they spoke positively about the U.S.-India partnership, it’s crucial for the diaspora to be more engaged. He urged community members to advocate for their ancestral country, stressing, “If you care about the relationship with your roots, you need to make your voice heard and encourage your political representatives to support India.”
The meeting followed recent challenges in U.S.-India relations, such as a new $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications, increased tariffs on Indian goods, and sanctions that affect India’s involvement in the Chabahar Port project in Iran.
Despite these hurdles, Tharoor emphasized that the visiting lawmakers expressed strong friendship towards India and reaffirmed a solid foundation for cooperation, noting that there is considerable American support for the Indian relationship within Congress.
