Record over 130 Indian Americans in key positions
US President Joe Biden has appointed more than 130 Indian Americans to key positions in his administration so far, the best representation from the community that makes up around one per cent of the American population.
In doing so he has not only fulfilled his promise to the community that he had made as a presidential candidate in 2020, but also shattered the record of his predecessor Donald Trump who had appointed more than 80 Indian Americans and his previous boss Barack Obama, who had appointed over 60 Indian Americans to key positions during his eight years of presidency.
More than 40 Indian Americans has been elected at various state and federal levels including four in the US House of
Representatives. Not to miss the more than 20 Indian Americans leading top US companies.
While the first-ever presidential appointment was done during the time of Ronald Regan, this time Biden has appointed Indian Americans to almost all departments and agencies of his administration.
‘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,' Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur, philanthropist and venture capitalist M R Rangaswami said.
‘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,' Rangaswami said. Rangaswami is founder and head of Indiaspora, a US-based global organization for Indian-origin leaders. Indiaspora keeps a track of Indian-origin leaders.
Biden, who has maintained a close relationship with the community since his Senator days, often jokes around about his Indian relationship. He made history in 2020 by selecting Indian-origin Kamala Harris as his running mate.