The article first appeared in bbc.com on Mar 12, 2025.
The 2024 Indian-American Survey, conducted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in collaboration with YouGov, offers a comprehensive insight into the political attitudes and foreign policy perspectives of the Indian-American community. Conducted between September 18 and October 15, 2024, this nationally representative online survey encompassed 1,206 Indian American adult residents, with a margin of error of +/- 3%.
A significant finding from the survey is the heightened optimism among members of the Indian-American community regarding India’s direction. Approximately 47% of respondents believe that India is on the right path, marking a 10 percentage point increase from four years prior. This positive sentiment is further reflected in the approval ratings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with nearly half of the respondents endorsing his performance. Additionally, 40% perceive that the 2024 election has enhanced India’s democratic fabric.
While the community expresses optimism about India’s future, there are palpable concerns regarding the trajectory of U.S.-India relations under a potential second term for Donald Trump. The survey reveals that the community rates the Biden administration’s handling of U.S.-India relations slightly higher than that of the first Trump administration. Furthermore, respondents believe that bilateral ties would have been more favorable under a hypothetical Harris administration compared to a second Trump term.
The survey also highlights evolving political affiliations within the Indian-American community. While a majority continue to support the Democratic Party, there has been a noticeable decline in this attachment. The proportion identifying as Democrats decreased from 56% in 2020 to 47% in 2024. Conversely, those identifying as Independents rose to 26%, and Republican affiliation remained steady at 21%.
In the context of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the survey indicates that 61% of Indian Americans intended to vote for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, while 31% supported Republican nominee Donald Trump. This reflects a slight decrease in Democratic support from 2020, where 68% backed Joe Biden, and an increase in support for Trump, up from 22% in the previous election cycle.
Economic concerns emerged as the primary issues influencing community voters. Approximately 17% identified inflation and prices as their top concern, followed by 13% who prioritized jobs and the economy. Notably, abortion also ranked highly, with 13% considering it a crucial issue, underscoring the community’s engagement with broader national debates.
The survey sheds light on the community’s nuanced foreign policy perspectives. Members of the Indian-American community hold varied views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with partisan divides evident: Democrats tend to empathize more with the Palestinian cause, while Republicans lean towards pro-Israel sentiments. Additionally, only about half of the respondents were aware of allegations concerning India’s involvement in an attempted assassination on U.S. soil, with a slim majority deeming such actions unjustifiable…
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