Four Indian-Americans are among the 31 Asians from around the country, who have been appointed to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s newly formed Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee, according to a Sept, 25 announcement from the campaign.
The four Indian-Americans include Puneet Ahluwalia of Virginia, K.V. Kumar from California, Shalabh Kumar of Illinois and Harry Walia, Florida. “Donald J. Trump is pleased to announce his Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee,” a statement issued by the campaign stated. “The women and men on the committee are elected, appointed and grassroots leaders who will engage Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) on relevant issues to these important and vibrant communities. Governors Eddie Calvo and Ralph Torres of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) respectively, will serve as the Council’s Co-Chairs.”
The committee members will support and strengthen ties to each community and provide recommendations on how best to ensure AAPI voices are heard and included in the Campaign. Furthermore, the committee’s formation represents Mr. Trump’s and Governor Pence’s commitment to AAPI communities. Mr. Trump and Governor Pence will meet with members of the committee and AAPI leaders to discuss growing concerns over educational opportunities, employment and the economy, which are of paramount concern to AAPI families across this nation. Mr. Trump understands the critical role Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders play in the growing and providing for an energetic economic base which has been lacking over the past eight years of Obama/Clinton policies.
“Mr. Trump’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Advisory Committee is a great addition to the vibrancy of his campaign,” said Brunswick, Ohio Mayor Ron Falconi. “His ability to connect with everyday Americans is a testament of his character, and what he wants to do to bring America forward from the past 8 years.”
Dr. Lisa Shin said, “The Trump/Pence ticket will bring meaningful change to Washington. No longer will DC bureaucrats decide what’s best for Asian American and Pacific Islander families. Supporting Mr. Trump and Governor Pence will allow AAPIs to truly have a voice in how we want to educate our families and raise our children.”
“We are on the cusp of history. It is a movement that I am witnessing this presidential election. I am confident that Trump would be the next president of the United States,” Shalabh Kumar+ , founder of the Republican Hindu Coalition said.
“Under Trump administration, India-US relationship would reach a new height,” he said. Puneet Ahluwalia is a member of Virginia’s Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Advisory Council, while K V Kumar has earlier worked with the World Bank.
“It is my great honor and a privilege to be part of Trump AAPI Advisory Committee. This is a pivotal election which impacts the future of our nation and its people,” Ahluwalia said. “Trump understands the critical role Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders play in the growing and providing for an energetic economic base which has been lacking over the past eight years of Obama/Clinton policies,” the campaign said.
Ahluwalia is a lobbyist and international business adviser at the Livingston Group, specializing in energy, defense, cyber security, and infrastructure issues. Kumar or ‘KV’ is the managing partner at Kumar & Talvadkar, LLC, and serves on the boards of several companies. Walia, a businessman and Republican activist for several decades, also tried and lost a race for Mayor of Venice, Florida, his hometown, a few years ago.
“The committee members will support and strengthen ties to each community and provide recommendations on how best to ensure AAPI voices are heard and included in the Campaign,” a press release from the Trump-Pence 2016 campaign. The two candidates will meet committee members “to discuss growing concerns over educational opportunities, employment and the economy, which are of paramount concern to AAPI families across this nation.”