Seattle University’s Roundglass India Center has introduced a new video podcast series that examines political, social, and civic topics within the Indian-American community. Titled The Hyphen: Indian-American Dialogues, the series builds on the Center’s previous podcast, Desi Roots & Routes, while focusing on contemporary debates surrounding diaspora politics, U.S.-India relations, and transnational civic life.
The inaugural episode, Should Indian Americans Lobby the U.S. Government on Behalf of India?, delves into a discussion sparked by Indian MP Shashi Tharoor, who criticized Indian Americans for not lobbying the U.S. government more actively in support of India.
In this episode, host Sital Kalantry, founding director of the Roundglass India Center, is joined by Kapil Sharma, senior lead of the Roundglass Foundation’s Global India Collective. Sharma draws on his experience in U.S.-India relations both in government and on Capitol Hill, emphasizing that Indian-American advocacy cannot rely on a single-lobby approach. Instead, he stresses that engagement must be inclusive, bipartisan, and aligned with U.S. domestic priorities.
The conversation also contrasts Indian-American political lobbying with the Jewish-American community’s efforts, highlighting differences in demographics, history, civic infrastructure, and organizational cohesion.
The launch of The Hyphen expands the Center’s podcast offerings and continues its commitment to thoughtful discussion on diaspora issues. Its predecessor, Desi Roots & Routes, was recently honored with the 2025 Bronze Signal Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, reflecting the Center’s dedication to highlighting diverse perspectives and promoting civic awareness within the Indian-American community.
With this new series, Seattle University aims to provide a platform for nuanced debate on the intersection of domestic U.S. politics and transnational Indian-American concerns, encouraging informed civic participation while strengthening community ties.
