Why Indian-Americans are becoming American administration’s first choice ?

Neera Tanden became first Indian-American to head domestic policy council under US President Joe Biden’s administration. Nearly more than 130 Indian-Americans are serving in American administration. After replacing adviser Susan Rice, Neera is appointed to formulate policies such as economic mobility, racial equity, health care, immigration and education. In a statement given by Biden, ‘For over two years, Susan Rice has helped craft and implement my domestic policy agenda and our country owes a debt of gratitude for her history-making public service. I am pleased to announce that Neera Tanden will continue to drive the formulation and implementation of my domestic policy’. Ms Tanden has worked with several administration including Obama and Clinton’s.

Currently serves as senior adviser and Staff secretary, Tanden will be the first Indian-American to lead major three White House policy council. She will be replaced by Stefanie Feldman, a longtime Biden adviser and in present, deputy assistant to the president. Biden continued about Neera, ‘She was a key architect of the Affordable Care Act and helped drive key domestic policies that became part of my agenda, including clean energy subsidies and sensible gun reform. While growing up, Neera relied on some of the critical programs that she will oversee as Domestic Policy Advisor, and I know those insights will serve my Administration and the American people well. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Neera in her new role’.

Political expert, Pushpendra Gaur called this as golden era for Indians. He said, ‘India is rising. Somebody who has studied the past of this country and is looking at the journey of several domestic sectors should know India’s constant development. Not only this, country has become a global image for pivotal roles because of the communication, administration is focusing on, to improvise relations with other countries. And this whole thing has helped Indians living abroad in a way. They have been started noticed for their potential, just like their country.’ Surely, India has shifted its dynamics in last few years and predominantly globally, but how exactly it has helped Indians living in foreign countries?

Mr. Gaur told EAT news, that the shift played a huge impact on mindsets of outsiders. ‘As I said, India is on the mission to transform its global image and has even succeeded to an extent, this whole process impacted and convinced number of people. The outlook of how to perceive an Indian is all changed , majorly due to the country’s constant presence at international platforms. Now people are taking Indians seriously, they are given higher positions, they have been recruited in large numbers at foreign companies. However, we are also witnessing negative impacts which is racial discrimination. How people have started feeling insecure of us serving everywhere. So, yes the shift have both negative and positive impact’, he said.

According to the information, record 130 plus Indian-Americans are at key positions in Biden administration. Joe Biden has surpassed former presidents in terms of electing this community as Donald Trump had appointed more than 80 Indian-Americans whereas Obama appointed over 60 Indian Americans during his eight years of presidency. Mr. Gaur shared his interpretation with us about why numbers of Indian-Americans are increasing in US administration. He said, ‘India and US always shared a cordial relation with each other. And with time, it has improved in terms of new agreements, projects and similar approach to existing issues. For an administration with more than 130 Indian-Americans, it will be easier to get a perspective on how to approach things further, if the country is involved. Plus, US is home of millions of Asian-Americans the most preferred country for Indians to study abroad and settle down. So having members from the same origin, will give President Biden a closer insight on how to work for them’.

His comment, furthermore read, ‘Since Indians are migrated to numerous countries and the act still continues, foreign administrations appointing people with same background is a smart move to move forward, US is one of them’.

Mr. Gaur said that he completely supports this transformation and wants to see more Indian-Americans taking higher political ranks in administration. Today, an Indian-American face on TV is a familiar situation for voters in America. Nany (Navneet) Singh lives in New York. According to her, Indian politicians are taking over. She said, ‘We are hearing a lot about them, reading and watching. At Universities, classrooms, hospitals, corporate world, India and its people are getting recognition. The culture individually is standing out. Earlier, we were bullied for our language and culture, today world leaders’ tweet in Hindi to respect our culture, what else we need? It is happening for the first time and I believe it is here to stay’.

Indian-American community in America is becoming an inspiration for each other, in political world. ‘I think once they started seeing people like us getting elected and seeing why it mattered, then political involvement became a part of their civic hygiene’, said Illinois Congressman Mr. Krishnamoorthi to The New York Times.