India’s new Ambassador to the United States, Navtej Singh Sarna, has said that, the strength and the standing of the Indian-American community has changed over the years and the community has come of age.
“So naturally all of you carry a weight much bigger than your pure numbers of three million,” Sarna said in a speech on Jan. 12, at the reception hosted by the Federation of Indian Associations of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Each one is invested in a different way in their adopted country, Sarna noted, adding that all of us will recognize that “the strength of the Indian-American community is the fact that it is a knowledge-based community.”
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Sarna noted that the India-U.S. engagement, as well as in politics, trade, security and defense had moved forward. “I can assure you the Government of India recognizes your strength, your excellence, “ he said.
Sarna said that he had observed the increasing participation of the Indian diaspora in the local and national politics. The recent swearing-in of five Indian-Americans in the U.S. Congress, is a “proud” moment for all Indian-Americans, he acknowledged.
They were Kamala Harris of California the first India-American senator; Ami Bera, of California, who was the only Indian-American in the 435-member House of Representatives and re-elected in the November elections; Rep. Ro Khanna , also from California; Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois and Rep. Pramila Jayapal from Washington state.
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Sarna observed that, including its engagement with its adopted country, plus the success it achieves there; its engagement with the homeland; and the passion the Diaspora shows in bringing these two engagements together. “It is no doubt that if you take all these three standards, the Indian-American community is a huge success here,” he said.
The Indian government is “very confident that the India-U.S. relations will be in a very good place as we move into the transition,” Sarna said. “We will continue to seek your assistance, we will continue to solicit your inputs in getting across the India story,” he told the gathering, amid applause.
By Premji
