On Thursday, March 20, 2025, New York City Mayor Eric Adams participated in a roundtable discussion with Indian community leaders to engage in direct dialogue with them and senior members of his administration. The meeting provided a platform for addressing concerns raised by the Indian American community.
The event was attended by representatives from various city agencies, including the Community Affairs Unit, Department of Buildings, Department of Small Business Services, New York City Police Department, Mayor’s Office of Food Policy, Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services, Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, and the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs.
The primary focus of the meeting was to discuss pressing issues affecting the Indian American community, which has been vocal about its concerns regarding the current administration’s policies and actions.
Addressing the gathering of more than 50 representatives from Indian American organizations, Adams acknowledged the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora in New York City. He recognized that over 220,000 Indians play a vital role in various sectors, strengthening the city’s economy and cultural fabric.
Adams reassured the leaders that his administration was committed to addressing their concerns and fulfilling their requests. “Our administration is laser-focused on not only listening to your concerns on issues like public safety and inclusive food options, but making concrete steps to address them,” he stated.
Community Affairs Unit Commissioner Fred Kreizman facilitated introductions between the community leaders and key figures within the city’s administration. Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Innovation at the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, affirmed Adams’ dedication to the Indian American community and underscored the importance of collaboration in addressing their issues.
Welcoming everyone to the discussion, Adams expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from the Indian community. He then handed over the floor to Chauhan to continue the conversation.
A community leader who attended the meeting but chose to remain anonymous noted that while attendees were given the opportunity to voice their concerns, the one-hour duration of the meeting was not sufficient for everyone to be heard. The most frequently raised concerns included securing dedicated spaces for community organizations and addressing parking shortages. Additionally, discussions covered the need for vegetarian meal options in hospitals, an issue that has been a longstanding concern for many within the community.
Other topics brought up during the discussion included the availability of community spaces, expansion of the mayor’s Breaking Bread, Building Bonds program, the rise in shoplifting and theft affecting small businesses, the impact of repeat offenders on crime rates, mental health resources, the promotion of religious and cultural harmony, and increasing cultural competency within city agencies.
Community leaders acknowledged Adams’ initiatives to improve public safety and expressed appreciation for his efforts in supporting the Indian American community. They specifically thanked him for declaring Diwali a public school holiday, backing plant-based meal programs, and promoting Indian culture through city-led initiatives.
In response, Adams reassured the leaders of his administration’s dedication to fostering a more inclusive environment for the Indian American community. He emphasized his commitment to working with community partners to secure spaces for Indian organizations, enhancing cultural awareness of Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and supporting key faith-based events.
“We heard from Indian small business owners, nonprofit founders, and cultural leaders, all of whom work each day to improve our city and strengthen our communities. We are committed to working with them to ensure New York City is the best place to raise a family and thrive,” Adams said.
Senior members of the mayor’s administration provided updates on ongoing initiatives, including expanding the availability of religiously inclusive, plant-based meals in New York City hospitals and increasing support for minority- and women-owned businesses. Adams also assigned specific concerns raised during the meeting to senior officials in his administration, ensuring follow-up and action on the issues discussed.