In brief
The 2024 Indian-American Survey indicates that while many Indian Americans support Prime Minister Modi and believe India is headed in the right direction, there are significant concerns about the implications of a second Donald Trump presidency on US-India ties.
Indian Americans are increasingly optimistic about the future of India but harbor significant concerns regarding US-India relations under a potential second Trump presidency, according to a recent survey conducted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and YouGov. This survey, which focused on the political attitudes of Indian Americans, comes in the wake of significant events in both nations, including contentious elections and rising tensions amid allegations concerning a Delhi-backed assassination plot on US soil.The results from the 2024 Indian-American Survey, which gathered responses from over 1,200 adult residents of Indian descent in the US, reflect a nuanced perspective on political dynamics. Despite a deepening partnership between the US and India, incidents such as the indictment of billionaires or allegations of plots against dissidents have increased scrutiny on bilateral relations.Significantly, Indian Americans rated the Biden administration's performance on US-India relations more favorably than Trump's first term, demonstrating partisan divides in opinions. A hypothetical Kamala Harris administration was perceived to be more beneficial for US-India ties compared to a second term for Trump. While 66% of Indian-American Republicans favored Trump's approach to relations, only 8% of Democrats shared the same sentiment, indicating a clear partisan polarization.The controversial alleged assassination attempt of a Sikh separatist advocate, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has not fully registered with the majority. Only half the survey respondents were aware of the incident, which marks a stark revelation about information engagement within the community as India cooperates with the ongoing U.S. investigation into the matter.On issues regarding the Israel-Palestinian conflict, views remain divided among Indian Americans, aligning with broader partisan divisions within the US electorate. While some believe Biden has shown excessive pro-Israel leanings, others view his approach as balanced.Forty-seven percent of Indian Americans believe India is moving in the right direction, an increase from previous years, and approval ratings for Modi's leadership remain strong. However, this positivity coexists with selective engagement in political matters, as many respondents appeared unaware or indifferent to the gravity of the alleged assassination effort.The survey further illustrates the complexity within the Indian American community, which reflects varied political affiliations and perspectives shaped by factors like immigration status and media consumption. Despite a growing schism in party identification, cultural ties remain firm among Indian Americans, indicating a complex relationship with political opinions informed by diaspora narratives and global events. Overall, the findings underscore the evolving sentiment within the Indian-American community towards US-India relations, highlighting concerns regarding future political landscapes as the 2024 elections approach.
