NEW YORK CITY (TIP): A visiting Indian Parliamentary Delegation, led by BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari, held an engaging interaction with members of the Indian-American community at the Consulate General of India in New York on Thursday, October 30.
The event, hosted by Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, brought together members of the Indian diaspora and lawmakers representing a broad political spectrum from India. New York State Assemblyman Anil Beephan, the first Indian-American Republican elected to the New York Assembly, also addressed the gathering, lauding the strong and ever-growing ties between the two largest democracies.
A Cross-Party Representation from India
The delegation accompanying Purandeswari included Rekha Sharma, Dilip Saikia, Bhola Singh, and Saumitra Khan from the BJP; Sandeep Pathak from the Aam Aadmi Party; P. Wilson and Thamizhachi Thangapandian from the DMK; G.K. Vasan from the Tamil Maanila Congress; Sajda Ahmed from the Trinamool Congress; Indra Hang Subba from the Sikkim K
rantikari Morcha; and Joyanta Basumatary from the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL).
The multi-party delegation is currently in New York to participate in the ongoing United Nations General Assembly session, where they are articulating India’s positions in various committees and engaging with UN officials and diplomats. This is the second such group of Indian MPs to attend this year’s UNGA session.
Diaspora’s Growing Global Footprint
In his welcome remarks, Consul General Pradhan highlighted the strength and influence of the Indian-American community, which now numbers 2.4 million in the U.S. — the largest Indian diaspora anywhere in the world.
He shared that Indian-Americans contribute 6% of total U.S. taxes, lead several Fortune 500 companies, and hold 10% of all U.S. patents. The community includes over 22,000 faculty members teaching in top universities across the country.
On the cultural front, Pradhan noted that Indian-Americans have inspired 10% of Americans to practice yoga, with 36,000 yoga studios and 2,200 Ayurveda clinics now operating nationwide. In 2024, the diaspora’s philanthropic contributions topped $1.5 billion, underscoring their growing social impact.
“The U.S. remains India’s largest trade partner and investor,” Pradhan added, citing the $212 billion bilateral trade recorded last year as evidence of deepening economic ties.
Building Bridges for India’s Future
During the session, MPs acknowledged the diaspora’s multifaceted contributions in education, technology, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. They urged Indian-Americans to continue acting as cultural ambassadors and economic partners in India’s growth story.
Daggubati Purandeswari emphasized that India is moving steadily toward its goal of becoming the third-largest economy by 2047, the centenary of independence, and that the diaspora’s engagement will play a critical role in achieving that vision.
Lawmakers also touched upon domestic challenges such as drug addiction in Punjab, assuring the audience that the government is implementing targeted measures and collaborating with state authorities to address the issue comprehensively.
A Shared Vision
Several participants described the evening as both inspiring and thought-provoking. The MPs and diaspora members exchanged views on how to strengthen educational linkages, attract investment in India’s innovation sectors, and promote youth exchanges to deepen mutual understanding between the two nations.
The meeting concluded with a shared call for unity — encouraging the Indian diaspora to remain deeply rooted in their culture and traditions while continuing to contribute to India’s development and to the prosperity of their adopted homeland.
As Consul General Pradhan aptly summed up, “The Indian diaspora is not just India’s pride abroad — it is India’s bridge to the world.”
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