The Emergence of Indian Americans as Political Contenders Amidst Internal Disputes

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The palpable friction between political figures Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy was evident during their latest encounter in a debate forum.

Haley’s critique was sharp: “Every time I hear you speak, it seems to subtract from my intelligence,” she asserted to Ramaswamy.

Ramaswamy retorted, suggesting that a more constructive dialogue would benefit the Republican Party rather than exchanging barbs. Post-debate, he quipped to the press that he would opt for simpler language in the future to aid Haley’s understanding.

The duo is set to reconvene for a pivotal third presidential debate on Wednesday, presenting another opportunity to appeal to the electorate ahead of next year’s GOP primary. While lagging behind ex-President Donald Trump in the polls for the 2024 nomination, Haley and Ramaswamy signify the increasing clout of Indian American figures in politics, demonstrating the complex spectrum of perspectives within this community.

According to Milan Vaishnav, director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a co-author of a study on Indian American voting patterns, the Indian American demographic is broad and varied.

Both Haley, a former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador under Trump, and Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur, are testament to the ideological diversity within the Indian American populace. Haley, 51, often echoes the GOP’s conventional views, especially in international relations, advocating for sustained aid to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. On the other hand, Ramaswamy, 38, has criticized the party’s establishment and questioned the wisdom of the ongoing support for Ukraine.

The pair’s political stances diverge from the majority of Indian Americans, who predominantly lean towards the Democratic Party. Pew Research Center data indicates that 68% of Indian American registered voters affiliate with the Democrats, compared to 29% with the Republicans.

“These Republican candidates are not reflective of the overall Indian American community’s political leanings,” Vaishnav noted.

While a significant shift towards the Republican Party amongst the Indian American diaspora seems improbable, even slight gains could have implications in tightly contested states.

Maina Chawla Singh, a scholar-in-residence at the American University’s School of International Service, notes that while some segments remain invested in Indian political matters, for the majority, domestic issues take precedence—ranging from reproductive rights and immigration policies to economic concerns and hate crimes. These issues influence their electoral decisions as they are deeply intertwined with their future in the U.S.

Sangay Mishra, a political science professor at Drew University, observes that Indian Americans are increasingly positioned to emerge as conservative intellectuals and politicians, often rallying around principles like free-market economics, minimal taxation, and meritocracy.

“Given that roughly 30% of Indian Americans are Republicans, we recognize that such political candidates are neither anomalies nor do they mirror the community’s predominant ideology,” Mishra explained.

He points out that Indian Americans have thoroughly integrated into U.S. society since the first immigration wave from the 1960s to the 1980s. Moreover, the 2016 election of Donald Trump spurred progressive Indian Americans to engage more actively in local governance.

Mishra recalls the motivation from Obama’s historic presidency and Kamala Harris, of Indian descent, as vice president in 2020, in mobilizing this demographic. Despite no anticipated shifts in party allegiance among the youth, 26-year-old Rohan Pakianathan, a public policy graduate student at Rutgers University and a Ramaswamy supporter, aspires to contribute to conservative thought leadership.

Pakianathan, of Christian faith, respects Ramaswamy’s Hindu background, seeing no conflict, as he believes in America’s foundational Judeo-Christian ethos. Despite often feeling isolated within his community’s predominantly Democratic leanings, he maintains a desire for a future political landscape marked by mutual respect across party lines.

Henry Olsen of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington remarks that the presence of Indian American candidates reflects the Republican Party’s inclusivity towards ethnic minorities, emphasizing that capability is key to ascending within the party.

With the electorate’s ethnic diversity set to grow, Olsen underscores the GOP’s necessity to resonate with people of color and possibly moderate its image as an overtly Christian party to attract non-Christian diaspora communities and those without religious affiliations.

“If people feel unwelcome, they are unlikely to engage,” Olsen concludes.

This report includes contributions from Holly Ramer of Big Big News in Concord, New Hampshire.

The religious coverage by Big Big News is supported through its collaboration with The Conversation US and funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., with the assurance that the AP holds full responsibility for the content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Indian American Political Influence

More about Indian American Political Influence

• Nikki Haley’s Political Background
• Vivek Ramaswamy’s Entrepreneurial Career
• Indian Americans and the Republican Party
• Pew Research Center’s Indian American Survey
• The Importance of Swing States in US Elections
• Domestic Issues Impacting Indian Americans
• Growth of Indian American Conservatives
• Diversity in the Republican Party
• The Role of Ethnic Minorities in the 2024 GOP Primary