The median Indian-American household earns $151,000 annually, around 75% more than the figure for America as a whole. THE INDIAN diaspora, which numbers around 37m, is the world’s biggest. It may also be the most successful. It has a compelling case to make, especially in America, home to more than 3m people born in India. And many Indian-Americans occupy top jobs in business, technology and politics—think of Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Zohran Mamdani and Kash Patel.
The state encourages such enthusiasm. For years after independence, India tended to look down on its diaspora, disparaging emigrants for deserting the homeland and contributing to brain drain. But as their numbers grew and the economy boomed, the relationship changed. In the 2000s, during the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) first term in power nationally, the party sought stronger ties with Indians abroad as a way of advancing India’s interests and boosting its own coffers (overseas Indians are believed to be enthusiastic donors to the party). Under Narendra Modi, those efforts have become more intense. The prime minister’s foreign trips often include rallies in stadiums packed with adoring non-resident Indians (NRIs). It may now be shutting. The Trump administration has clamped down on migration. On October 8th it suspended tech firms, including several Indian ones, from sponsoring workers for permanent residency, accusing them of immigration fraud. Australia and Canada are restricting student visas. And it is not just potential migrants who are being targeted. Racism and resentment are fuelling hate campaigns on social media, especially in America. The diaspora can do little to stem the hate, let alone advance India’s interests. In America it has failed to persuade the Trump administration to adopt policies favourable to India. The diaspora may be large and even influential, but it is no diplomatic corps.
Indeed just last month Congress in Washington passed legislation allowing 100% tariffs on India for buying Russian oil.
