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Indian Americans optimistic about Trump's second term: FIIDS Chief Khanderao Kand
“Trump 2.0 administration is going to be much, I think, mature and additionally different than Trump 1.0,” Kand said.
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Khanderao Kand, chief of Policy and Strategy at Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) / New India Abroad
Indian Americans are closely watching the evolving political landscape under the Trump administration's second term, with many expressing optimism about foreign policy, trade, and potential immigration reforms.
"There is a segment of population which is much more active in this particular election and is optimistic about how the things are unfolding," Khanderao Kand, chief of Policy and Strategy at Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) told New India Abroad.
While immigration remains a critical concern for many in the Indian American community, Kand acknowledged the frustration surrounding the green card backlog, especially for those on H1-B visas. “People who are into the power circle understand the need of tech immigrants for maintaining the competitiveness of America,” he explained, referring to key figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy who understand the importance of highly skilled workers in fields like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Indian Americans, many of whom have contributed significantly to the US tech industry, are hoping for reforms that will alleviate visa delays and create more pathways for skilled workers to remain in the country. The push for changes to immigration policy is particularly focused on easing the green card backlog. “We need to figure out a way to abolish that 7 percent country cap or give EAD to those who are I-140 approved,” Kand said, highlighting it as a priority for FIIDS in the upcoming administration.
“Trump 2.0 administration is going to be much, I think, mature and additionally different than Trump 1.0,” Kand said, emphasizing that US-India relations are likely to grow stronger. He noted that under Trump’s first term, the US shifted from a pro-Pakistan stance to a more India-friendly approach, a trend that has continued under President Biden and is expected to evolve further.
He highlighted the significance of India’s diplomatic position on global issues, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which both India and Trump view as an area requiring diplomatic engagement. "There is a good alignment into those areas," Kand said, referring to the shared perspective on resolving the crisis through negotiations.
In terms of trade, Kand acknowledged that while Trump's "America First" policies may lead to some tariff friction, India’s growth as the world’s third-largest economy presents substantial opportunities for collaboration. "The trade is year after year growing, and India is now the third largest economy," he stated, suggesting that the two nations could reach a pragmatic resolution to potential trade barriers.
Kand noted that Indian Americans are starting to become more active in politics, particularly driven by misrepresentation on the global stage and attacks on their faith and community. "There are certain things that Indian Americans who are conscious about global affairs they were uncomfortable," he explained, citing concerns such as temple attacks and negative portrayals of India. "That silent resentment had some people getting more active into the whole political process," he remarked, adding that many have begun to feel more confident about their political influence under Trump.
Overall, Kand believes President Trump’s second term presents a promising outlook for US-India relations, particularly in foreign affairs, trade, and immigration reforms. "We are positive," he said, sharing that FIIDS has already met members of the incoming administration like Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman Mike Walz.
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