The 2024 US elections may not place a Hindu in the White House, but the campaign season has underscored the rising influence of the world’s 1.2 billion Hindus in American politics.
While Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democratic candidate, identifies as a Christian, she has Hindu heritage through her Indian mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a Brahmin from India. On the Republican side, Usha Vance, the wife of Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance, also hails from a Brahmin Hindu background. Across the nation, five Indian Americans hold seats in Congress, and nearly 50 occupy positions in state legislatures, representing Hindu, Sikh, or Muslim backgrounds.
The emergence of Hindu Americans in US politics has gained momentum over the last decade, although Dalip Singh Saund, the first Indian American Congressman, was elected in 1957. In 2023, Shri Thanedar, a Democratic representative, launched a caucus for Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain Americans, indicating the increasing presence of Indian Americans in politics. Though Hindu Americans represent only around 1% of the US population, their influence extends beyond numbers due to their high socioeconomic status. In 2022, the median household income for Indian Americans was $145,000, offering them the means to support political campaigns. “There was always a Hindu vote, which was not recognized publicly, but it is being recognized now,” said Democratic strategist Ramesh Kapur.
As Hindu influence grows in American politics, concerns arise back in India, where many Christians fear that the increasing political clout of Hindu Americans might embolden US policies that overlook religious freedom issues in India. Rajesh Sampath, a professor who converted to Catholicism, expressed unease over “the uncritical acceptance of the Indian American rise.” He warned that a lack of scrutiny into candidates’ views on Hindu nationalism or Hindutva could “have adverse effects on civil rights, not only for Indian Christians in India but also in terms of race and equality here in the US.”
Though Hindu politicians in the US come from both major political parties and embrace diverse domestic policies, some critics are troubled by their silence regarding religious freedom for minorities in India. For example, US arms deals with India have proceeded smoothly despite calls to designate it a “Country of Particular Concern” due to religious rights concerns. According to Neal Christie, executive director of the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations, US policymakers hesitate to condemn India’s religious freedom violations due to “many lawmakers’ vested economic interests in India and their fear of backlash from Hindu nationalists in their constituencies.”
Allen Brooks of the Assam Christian Forum observed that while American politicians, particularly Hindu leaders, readily denounce attacks on Hindu temples in the US, they rarely speak out on abuses against minorities in India. Meanwhile, as China is increasingly seen as a geopolitical threat, US leaders of both parties have nurtured ties with Hindu nationalist groups to bolster trade and security partnerships with India. Sampath argued that these politicians “have cultivated significant ties with Hindu nationalists for geopolitical gains, prioritizing trade…over the pressing issue of religious freedom for minorities.”
Under Narendra Modi’s leadership, the influence of Hindu nationalism has extended overseas, with Hindu American groups supporting Indian organizations like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) in their political outreach. John Dayal, a human rights activist, believes these groups promote values that resonate with segments of the Republican platform, aligning around themes of nationalism, tradition, and cultural identity. “Their main role for the moment is exonerating Prime Minister Modi and cleansing his image,” said Dayal. He warned that the “power wielded by affluent upper-caste Indian Americans” in politics and business could amplify such ideologies, posing potential risks.
This growing influence has raised concerns over the impact of Hindu American politicians on US foreign policy. Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican candidate, praised Modi as an “excellent” leader who has “restored Indian national pride,” yet he made no reference to Modi’s record on human rights, drawing criticism from advocacy groups. Christie questioned the compatibility of Hindu American legislators’ values with principles of tolerance and fairness if they align with exclusionary nationalism in India. Dayal echoed these concerns, adding that organizations like the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) are perceived to advocate for India’s government interests while sanitizing Hindu nationalist actions.
A 2024 report from Political Research Associates alleged that HAF presents itself as a mainstream civil rights organization in the US, while opposing caste discrimination protections and supporting the BJP, India’s ruling Hindu nationalist party. By “capitalizing on fears of radical Muslims,” said Christie, the HAF advances a narrative that perpetuates harmful stereotypes against Christians in India, often labeled as “Rice Christians” for allegedly converting for material incentives.
As Hindu Americans’ political alignment shifts, data shows evolving affiliations. Although 68% of Indian Americans identify with the Democratic Party, a growing segment—29%—now leans Republican, according to a 2023 Pew Research study. The 2024 Asian American Voter Survey revealed that only 46% of Indian Americans plan to vote for Joe Biden, down from 65% in 2020. While this survey did not ask directly about Kamala Harris, it found that 54% of Indian Americans viewed her favorably. However, some Hindu voters criticize Harris and Biden for policies perceived as indifferent to their views on religious freedom and US-India relations. Political scientist Sangay Mishra observed that “Hindu Americans are increasingly framing their political choices around support for India,” and viewing Democratic critiques of Indian policies as antagonistic.
On the Republican side, candidates like Ohio state lawmaker Niraj Antani have emphasized their Hindu identity, advocating for religious freedom and traditional values. Antani frequently references his Hindu faith, recently praising the opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, India, a symbol of Hindu nationalist pride.
The Indian Christian community in the US, however, remains cautious. When Modi visited Biden in 2023, protests erupted in the US against rising violence in the Indian state of Manipur, where over 200 Christians had died in communal violence. These protests continued, as Indian expats and Christians staged prayer vigils in six American cities, urging peace in India. Despite this, Christie noted that many Indian American Christians avoid speaking out, fearing repercussions that might jeopardize their safety, financial stability, or citizenship.
“Indian American Christians are a minority within the minority,” Sampath explained, “trying to survive as an Indian Christian minority within the larger Indian diaspora.” Christie emphasized that religious advocacy shouldn’t be selective, suggesting, “If we benefit Muslims, Christians will benefit… Human rights is not a zero-sum game.”
