Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Indian American Impact has congratulated six candidates endorsed by the organization following their victories in congressional races across the United States, highlighting the growing representation of Indian Americans in national politics. The winners include incumbent Representatives Ami Bera of California, Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Ro Khanna of California and Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia, who secured reelection. Pia Dandiya of Florida and Dr. Amish Shah of Arizona won their first congressional elections. Shah will become the first Indian American to represent Arizona in Congress, while Dandiya will make history as the first Indian American to represent Florida. The organization invested and…

For the first time, governors in five US states have hosted official Diwali celebrations at state capitols and governor’s residences, acknowledging the growing presence and contributions of Indian Americans. The celebrations took place in Idaho, Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, and Washington. Oregon is scheduled to hold another event at its state Capitol in Salem on November 10, completing a series that began in mid-October. According to the Indian Consulate in Seattle, these were the first Diwali celebrations organized and hosted by governors at their respective official venues. US senators, members of Congress, mayors, and Indian American community representatives participated. The…

Pooja Sethi has made electoral history in Texas after winning the race for Texas House District 47, becoming the first Indian-American woman elected to the Texas Legislature. Her victory also marks a milestone for Asian-American representation in the state’s Democratic political leadership. Sethi, the Democratic candidate, defeated Republican challenger Jennifer Mushtaler in the closely watched contest for the open legislative seat. According to reported election results, Sethi secured 63.3 per cent of the vote, compared with Mushtaler’s 36.7 per cent. The results remain subject to official certification. Her victory carries particular significance for the Indian-American community, highlighting the growing presence…

Indian-American politician Nithya Raman has defeated incumbent Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral election, marking a significant development in the city’s political landscape. Raman, who has served on the Los Angeles City Council since winning her first election in 2020, entered the mayoral contest in February despite having publicly expressed support for Bass just weeks earlier. The election highlighted contrasting political visions, with homelessness, affordable housing, and public safety emerging as central campaign issues. The candidates attracted support from different political organizations. Bass received endorsements from influential groups, including the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and the county’s…

The 2026 US midterm elections have significantly altered the political landscape in Washington, with President Donald Trump’s Republican Party facing major losses and Democrats securing control of both chambers of Congress. The results have raised questions about the administration’s domestic agenda, the future direction of American foreign policy and the broader implications for countries around the world. Republicans entered election night hoping to retain control of the Senate, even as concerns grew over their performance in competitive districts. However, the scale of the Democratic gains extended beyond closely contested constituencies. According to the analysis published by The Conversation, Republicans also…

President Donald Trump’s endorsement has traditionally given Republican candidates a considerable advantage, particularly during primary elections. However, the November 3, 2026, midterm results suggest that his influence within the party may not always translate into victories in nationwide contests. Several prominent Republicans supported by Trump failed to win their respective races as Democrats made significant gains. According to Ballotpedia, Trump-backed candidates won 315 of the 351 primary contests connected to his endorsements, representing a success rate of approximately 96%. Their performance in the general election, however, was considerably different. Among the major defeats, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall lost to Democrat…

Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar has attributed the Republican Party’s losses in the 2026 US midterm elections to growing public dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s leadership, pointing to rising living costs, trade tariffs, the Iran conflict and allegations of corruption within the administration. Thanedar, a Democrat representing Michigan’s 13th Congressional District in the US House of Representatives, said the election results reflected voter frustration with Trump’s policies rather than necessarily indicating increased support for the Democratic Party. “I don’t see this as support for the Democratic Party. This I see as dissatisfaction with Trump. This is really on Trump,” Thanedar said…

India is pursuing an ambitious expansion of its international trade network, with ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations potentially bringing nearly 75% of its merchandise exports under preferential market access. According to Commerce Department data reported by the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) on November 4, 2026, the proposed agreements could increase FTA coverage to 74.5% of the country’s FY26 merchandise exports, representing approximately $329 billion. This would mark a substantial rise from the existing coverage of 27.4%. Over the past six years, India has concluded eight trade agreements while continuing discussions on more than 10 additional deals. These negotiations…

As the United States prepares for its November 3 midterm elections, several Indian-origin politicians are seeking key positions across the country. From congressional seats and governorships to attorney general and mayoral races, candidates with Indian roots are emerging as prominent figures in American politics. Among the prominent names are Democratic lawmakers Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera and Suhas Subramanyam, who are seeking re-election to the US House of Representatives. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is also in the spotlight as the party’s nominee for the Ohio governor’s race. The 2026 midterm elections will see all 435 seats in the US House…

India and Australia have successfully completed the fifth edition of their bilateral military exercise, AUSTRAHIND 2026, marking another important step in strengthening defense relations between the two countries. The 14-day exercise concluded on Sunday, November 1, with a closing ceremony at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, according to the Indian Army. The training brought together personnel from both armies to improve operational coordination, develop mutual confidence, and reinforce their shared commitment to regional stability and security. The military engagement featured extensive training activities across challenging jungle, island, and coastal landscapes. Its major highlight was a 36-hour Joint Validation…