Political Participation of the Indian Diaspora in the United States

ABSTRACT: Political participation has long been seen as an important means for new immigrants to achieve social integration, and is also a natural choice for immigrants looking to ensuring their rights and resist mainstream social discrimination or exclusion. As the second largest Asian diaspora population in the United States, following initial frustrations with their involvement in the political process, Indian immigrants have made fundamental breakthroughs in their political participation. With the developing trend towards increased ethnic plurality among new immigrants, a range of exogenous and endogenous factors have worked together to promote the positive participation of the Indian diaspora in American political life, as is clearly evidenced through their political donations, voting, campaigning for public office, and lobbying activities. Gradually, Indian American political involvement has developed a number of distinct characteristics, and based on present trends, the level of participation and influence of the Indian diaspora will continue to increase.