‘Not One Phone Call’: Tharoor Question Diaspora Silence Amid Strained India–US Ties

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday (23 September) expressed concern over what he described as the surprising silence of the Indian-American community on issues currently straining ties between New Delhi and Washington.

Tharoor made the remarks after meeting a five-member US Congressional delegation visiting India.

The group, comprising Democrats — four of them from California — was led by Indian-origin Congressman Ami Bera.

“I do want to stress that one of the points we raised was why the Indian-American diaspora has been so silent about all of this,” Tharoor told reporters.

“One of the congresswomen said that not one phone call has come to her office from any Indian-American voter asking for her to support a change of policy, and this is something that is surprising," he added.

The Congress MP underlined the need for the diaspora to be more proactive in advocating India’s interests.

“If you care about the relationship with your motherland, then you also have to fight for it, speak for it and make more of an effort to press your political representatives to stand up for India,” he said.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of a series of recent setbacks in bilateral ties.

These include the US decision to impose a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, higher tariffs on Indian exports such as garments and gems, and sanctions affecting India’s development of Iran’s Chabahar Port.

Despite these challenges, Tharoor noted that the delegation “spoke very warmly and positively” of the India–US relationship.

He said the lawmakers reiterated bipartisan support for the strategic partnership and emphasised their personal commitment to strengthening ties.

“The most important message that came out from them,” Tharoor added, “was that a lot of American opinion, including in the US Congress, is very strongly committed to the Indian relationship.”

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