130 Indian-Americans to top posts in his administration, which is the highest representation for a group that accounts for around one percent of the American population.
With this initiative, Biden has fulfilled the promise he made to the community during the 2020 presidential elections as well as broken the records of ex-president Donald Trump and his former boss, Barack Obama, who designated more than 60 Indian-Americans to senior positions during his service in office. Over 40 Indian-Americans, including four in the US House of Representatives, have been elected to different state and federal positions. Additionally, more than twenty Indian-Americans are at the top positions in major US corporations.
The first presidential appointment was made under the administration of Ronald Reagan, and now President Biden has appointed a number of Indian-Americans to practically all of his government departments and agencies. Mr. Rangaswami is the founder and leader of Indiaspora, a global organization for leaders of Indian descent established in the United States. Indiaspora monitors and follows the leaders of Indian descent.
According to M. R. Rangaswami, philanthropist, venture capitalist, and Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur, “Indian-Americans have been imbued with the sense of seva (service) and this is reflected in their enthusiasm to pursue positions in public service instead of the private sector”. He added, “The Biden administration has now appointed or nominated the largest group to date and needless to say we are proud of our people and their accomplishments for the United States”.
Mr. Biden has maintained a friendly connection with Indian Americans in the US since his days as a senator. Accordingly, he created history in 2020 by picking Kamala Harris, who is of Indian descent, as his vice president. According to Indiaspora’s list of Indian-Americans at the White House, there would hardly be a meeting in the White House or in President Biden’s Oval Office without an Indian-American presence. Additionally, Mr. Biden has also appointed a number of Indian-Americans to important ambassadorial positions.
