Activist Laura Rumer made comments that echo some extreme rhetoric about “Third World Invaders from India,” clearly linked to the influx of Indians coming to America toward the end of last year.
This summer, we witnessed a significant decline in the relationship between the US and India, resulting in a surge of anti-Indian sentiment that seems to undermine the rights of this community. Interestingly, Indian Americans, who are generally seen as one of the better-off ethnic minorities, face a paradoxical situation.
But there’s also a more complicated issue—one that has major implications for how we can build the necessary institutions to support the growing partnership between the US and India.
Indian Americans are in a unique position to address this gap, especially since strengthened US-India relations present mutual benefits in confronting the challenges posed by China.
It’s kind of strange, really, to think that American civil society may not be fully onboard with promoting US-India relations. I mean, given how interconnected our countries have become, it feels counterintuitive.
Indian Americans are now the second-largest group of foreign-born individuals in the United States, just behind Mexicans. They also represent a major source of international students in American universities. I mean, you really can’t escape encountering Indians or Indian Americans if you’re out and about.
Yet, one major issue persists: there’s a noticeable gap in resources aimed at fostering mutual understanding between the US and India.
In fact, the number of American students choosing to study in India is surprisingly low. Many still gravitate toward Europe for their study abroad experiences. Last academic year, India even fell behind countries like Ghana and South Africa in attracting American students.
Interestingly, Hindi ranks as the third most spoken language globally, trailing only behind English and Chinese. Yet, data shows that only about 1,700 American university students studied the language recently—this is quite unusual considering the number of students interested in languages like Korean or modern Hebrew.
While many Indian elites are fluent in English, research has shown that the prevalence of English is less dominant in places like South Korea, Russia, and Israel. In contrast, East Asian studies are well-established in American universities, whereas South Asian studies remain relatively underrepresented. It’s odd when you think about how populous and economically significant India is becoming.
The existing lack of institutional support creates barriers in many areas—from technology to trade and defense—leading to avoidable misunderstandings between the two nations.
This gap is no longer tenable, especially not with rising anti-Indian sentiment domestically and the pressing need for strong bilateral relations to tackle geopolitical challenges like China’s influence.
There are historical models, like the strong ties between the US and Japan, which seemed unlikely right after World War II but have flourished since then through various initiatives. Organizations have effectively brought together business, political, and media leaders in both countries.
Support for Israel provides another example; extensive efforts among American Jews have forged strong connections over decades, enhancing bilateral relations.
American programs that promote people-to-people connections, like Birthright Israel, help foster understanding by immersing participants in the culture and politics of Israel.
Scholarships like the Rhodes Scholarship and the Schwartzman Scholarship are examples of successful attempts to build prestigious networks between major powers during times of change. They’ve shown how effective leadership bridges can be formed between different cultures.
Indian Americans are crucial for these initiatives. They’re in a unique position—not only because of their cultural competencies but also due to their remarkable economic success, which provides them with the resources to drive these efforts forward.
Ultimately, if Indian Americans embrace this challenge, I believe their proven capabilities—along with their drive and work ethic—can truly transform US-India relations.
