NextFin news, On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor led a meeting between a US Congressional delegation and India's Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs in New Delhi, where he highlighted the surprising silence of the Indian-American diaspora regarding recent US policy changes affecting India.
Tharoor pointed out that despite the US administration's hike in H-1B visa fees to $100,000 and the imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, the Indian-American community has not actively voiced concerns or lobbied their political representatives. He cited a congresswoman's remark that she had not received a single call from Indian-American voters urging support for policy changes.
"If the Indian-American diaspora cares about their relationship with their motherland, they must fight for it, speak for it, and press their political representatives to stand up for India," Tharoor told ANI.
The US Congressional delegation, consisting of five Democratic members including Ami Bera of Indian origin, expressed strong support for the India-US partnership despite recent setbacks such as the H-1B visa restrictions, tariffs, and US sanctions on Iran's Chabahar Port, which India is developing.
Tharoor emphasized that many in the US Congress remain committed to strengthening strategic ties with India and value the Indian economy and diaspora's contributions. The meeting also touched upon India-Sri Lanka relations and was facilitated by Tharoor in his capacity as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs.
The discussion underscored the need for greater engagement by the Indian-American community to influence US policy positively towards India amid ongoing challenges.
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