EDITORIALS & ARTICLES
Discuss the role of Indian diaspora in promoting Indo-US relations. (UPSC CSE Mains 2018 - Political Science and International Relations, Paper 2)
- The United States and India are neither really friends nor foes. The relationship between both the countries has constantly fluctuated, starting from the neutral NAM stand of India to the separate paths during the Cold war and eventually to the present times of strategic convergence. Soft power illustrates the ability of a country to achieve coveted outcomes on international issues through attraction and co-operation and not through coercion - a decisive reality in the arena of International Affairs. The currency of soft power is cultural influence, political values and foreign policies. Similarly, India’s soft power is the rising influence of Indian Diaspora on the American soil.
- The Indian Diaspora in the U.S. is contributing in reconstructing the relation between the two countries. India recognizes the emergence of Indian-Americans as an eminent community based on two reasons.
- Primarily, the Indian Americans have surfaced as a significant vote bank in US electoral politics. Secondly, the Indian-Americans are immensely educated and wealthy. With increase in population and share in economic power, the focus of the Indian American’s lobby has inclined towards the concerns of India. For example, regarding immigration law, the ID performed a significant role in favouring the immigration laws for the Indians in 1965 immigration policy of the U.S.
- Next, it was mainly the lobbying efforts by The National Federation of Indian American Association to crusade to relax the U.S. policy over sanctions on India. As a result, the sanctions Imposed on India by the NSG (after Nuclear Proliferation in 1998) were removed on the U.S. recommendation. The former U.S. President Bill Clinton on his visit to India himself specified of immense pressure by the Indian Diaspora to uplift the sanctions. Another instance is the ID’s notable persuasion towards finalizing of the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Co-operation Agreement. This ‘123 agreement’ got confirmed in July 2007 and signed in October 2008 enabled India to enjoy all provisions of the Non- Proliferation Treaty.
- Indian immigrants are contributing in Science, technology and business across the US States. One thing which is a key factor in policy influencer, is the degree of political engagement and activity that Indians display. The diaspora, over recent decades, has become increasingly involved in US politics, and a number of political action groups have sprung up, aimed at promoting the voices of their members. The nonpartisan United States India Political Action Committee was founded in 2002, and works to elevate concerns involving Indians, such as promoting the H-1B visa as a temporary specialist work permit, the USIndia Civil Nuclear Agreement, global health, religious freedom and US-India trade.
- Indian Americans have risen to become the richest ethnicity in America, with an average household income of $126,891, almost twice the US average of $65,316. On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris, an Indian American, made history as the first female Vice President of the United States. She was elected Vice President as the running mate of President Joe Biden in the presidential election the previous November. This was a major milestone in Indian American history, and in addition to Harris, another 20 Indian Americans were nominated to key positions in the administration.
- The rich civilization and cultural ethos of the Indian Americans have become a part of American fabric with both countries recognizing Indian Diaspora as mutually benefitting. The role of Indian Diaspora in disseminating India’s culture is also contributing in nation branding through non-governmental public diplomats and cultural diplomats.
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