(Image source from: M9.news)

The upcoming US presidential election is intensifying, with the Democratic and Republican parties fiercely competing for the presidency. In this context, an Indian-American diaspora group has launched a campaign to increase the participation and influence of Indian-American voters in the upcoming election. The "Indo-American Votes Matter" campaign, initiated by the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), aims to encourage Indian-American voters to vote and make their voices heard. FIIDS seeks to register at least one million Indian-American voters for the election. Indian-Americans, now a community of 4.5 million, have become one of the most influential immigrant groups in the US, and their votes could be crucial in determining the outcome of crucial races in key swing states. Both the Democratic and Republican parties should recognize the significance of the Indian-American electorate, as they are concentrated in critical races across states like Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Virginia, New Jersey, Texas, and California.

Kamala Harris, a candidate with mixed Indian and Jamaican heritage, will compete against Republican nominee Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election on November 5. The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) has conducted a comprehensive survey of Indian-Americans to understand their views on both domestic and international policy matters. According to Khanderao Kand, the chief of policy and strategy at FIIDS, Indian-Americans living in key swing states have a crucial opportunity to influence the election outcome. Kand emphasized that the policy concerns and preferences of the Indian-American community should be taken seriously by both the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Democratic National Committee (DNC).