During his address to the U.S. Congress in June 2023, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a point to recognize Vice President Kamala Harris’s Indian heritage. He remarked, “There are millions here who have roots in India. Some of them proudly sit in this chamber, and there is one right behind me, who has made history,” gesturing toward Harris. Modi humorously referred to the small group of Indian American lawmakers as the “Samosa Caucus,” celebrating their cultural contributions.
Harris, whose mother was born in India and father in Jamaica, is the first Indian American to run for the highest office in the U.S. as voters prepare to choose between her and former President Donald Trump in November.
Karthick Ramakrishnan of AAPI Data emphasized that Harris’s heritage signifies the growing political power of Indian Americans, who have the highest voting rates among Asian American groups. Following the footsteps of Dalip Singh Saund, the first Indian American elected to Congress in 1957, the representation of Indian Americans in Congress has increased to five, with nearly 40 in state legislatures.
Ramkrishnan noted the quick growth in political engagement among the Indian American community, attributing it to their democratic background and socioeconomic status, which facilitates civic participation and fundraising efforts.
While Indian Americans generally hold a positive view of India, with 76% viewing it favorably, their engagement in U.S. elections may not directly reflect this enthusiasm for Indian politics. Political analysts suggest that despite Modi’s popularity among Hindu Indian Americans, they tend to favor Democratic candidates, linking their voting patterns to perceptions of democracy.
As the election nears, the dynamics of Harris’s candidacy and Modi’s potential influence on Indian American voters will be closely watched. Political experts speculate that Modi may prefer a continuation of the Biden-Harris administration for its stability, aligning with many Indian Americans who hope to see Harris make history as the first Indian American president.
