"The Year of Emerging Indian-American GOP Stars"

 Indian Americans are likely the most prominently represented minority in the Trump administration this cycle. While some may find this surprising, experts suggest that the community has long been positioned to align with the current Republican framework.

Vivek Ramaswamy, Kash Patel, and Jay Bhattacharya.

Dec. 22, 2024, 6:00 PM GMT+6

When President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January, he could be accompanied by a significant group of young Indian American figures poised to take on influential roles in his administration.

Kash Patel, a potential nominee for FBI director if confirmed, and Vivek Ramaswamy, who will co-lead a new initiative with Elon Musk called the Department of Government Efficiency, are among the key figures. In addition, Harmeet Dhillon and Jay Bhattacharya are preparing for potential appointments to the Department of Justice and the National Institutes of Health, respectively. Vice President-elect JD Vance’s wife, Usha Vance, will also make history as the first South Asian American second lady.

This growing presence of Indian Americans is striking, considering the group constitutes less than 2% of the U.S. population and traditionally leans heavily Democratic. Experts suggest that Indian Americans’ increasing involvement with the Republican Party reflects a shift in alignment, fueled by factors like Trump’s relationships with tech industry leaders, his tough stance on China, and his support for India’s current government.

Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder of AAPI Data, noted the unusual degree of representation for Indian Americans within Trump's team. “It’s remarkable how disproportionately represented Indian Americans are compared to other communities of color,” he said.

Despite their positions aligning with some of Trump’s controversial stances—Patel’s promotion of conspiracy theories about a “deep state” and Ramaswamy’s calls for mass deportations—there appears to be a broader shift among younger Indian Americans. Polling data from AAPI Data reveals a dip in support for Democratic candidates among Indian Americans, with 69% planning to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, compared to 77% in 2016.

Ramakrishnan highlights a particular affinity for Trump among young Indian American men, many of whom work in the tech sector or have recently become naturalized citizens. “Trump had higher support among 18- to 34-year-old Indian Americans,” he explained.

While the alignment between Indian Americans and Trump might seem contradictory given the president’s anti-immigrant rhetoric, experts point to current circumstances that have opened the door for this political shift. As Indian Americans have risen in economic and educational stature—outpacing other racial and ethnic groups—they have become increasingly prominent in the workforce, especially in tech.

This success can be traced back to the first significant wave of Indian immigration to the U.S. in the 1960s and ’70s, which brought highly educated individuals into white-collar professions. Ramaswamy, Patel, and Usha Vance’s backgrounds—sons of engineers and financiers from upper-caste families in India—reflect this trend.

For many Indian Americans, their conservative stances are also influenced by their cultural upbringing. “Caste privilege is part of who they are,” said Sangay Mishra, an associate professor at Drew University. “Some of that opens up the possibility of adopting deeply conservative views.”

Trump’s strained relationship with China and his favorable view of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have further bolstered Indian Americans' involvement in his administration. His close ties with Modi, a leader associated with right-wing nationalism, have made Indian Americans feel more welcome in the Republican Party. This relationship has been reinforced by figures like Tulsi Gabbard, a Samoan American who converted to Hinduism, and has championed Modi in the U.S.

However, not all Indian Americans feel comfortable in this political shift. Some critics, like Mishra, express concern that Trump’s Republican Party remains a stronghold for far-right and white nationalist factions, which have sometimes targeted Indian Americans, calling them “outsiders” or questioning their loyalty.

For example, after Harmeet Dhillon delivered a Sikh prayer at the Republican National Convention, she was subjected to racist attacks. Meanwhile, far-right influencers have mocked figures like Patel, Ramaswamy, and Usha Vance for their ethnic backgrounds, accusing them of undermining “white identity.”

Despite these tensions, figures like Ramaswamy and Vance have downplayed their Hindu heritage, often emphasizing their shared values with Christian conservatives. Ramaswamy, in particular, has quoted both Hindu scripture and Bible verses to bridge the gap, but experts suggest that some segments of the Republican base may never fully accept non-white members, regardless of their political views.

Shakeel Syed, executive director of the South Asian Network, cautioned that attempts by Indian Americans to prove their “American-ness” are unlikely to erase the prejudices that persist within the far-right. The political shift of Indian Americans, while noteworthy, remains a complex and evolving story in the broader context of America’s changing political landscape.