# Indian Americans worried over US ties under Trump, survey reveals

Indian Americans are increasingly optimistic about India's future, but hold deep concerns about US-India relations under a second Donald Trump administration, a new survey finds.

The 2024 Indian-American Survey, conducted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and YouGov in October, examined Indian-American political attitudes.

Two pivotal elections happened in India and the US last year, amid a deepening - but occasionally strained - partnership. Tensions between the countries flared over a  and 

With more than five million Indian-origin residents in the US, the survey asked some key questions: How do Indian Americans view former president Joe Biden's handling of US-India ties? Do they see Donald Trump as a better option? And how do they assess India's trajectory post the 2024 election?

Here are some key takeaways from the report, which was based on a nationally representative online survey of 1,206 Indian-American adult residents.

## Trump v Biden on India

Indian Americans rated the Biden administration's handling of US-India relations more favorably than Trump's first term.

A hypothetical Kamala Harris administration was seen as better for bilateral ties than a second Trump term during the polling.

Partisan polarisation plays a key role: 66% of Indian-American Republicans believe Trump was better for US-India ties, while just 8% of Democrats agree.

Conversely, half of Indian-American Democrats favour Biden, compared to 15% of Republicans.

Since most Indian Americans are Democrats, this gives Biden the overall edge.

During their February meeting at the White House, both Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised each other's leadership, but Trump  India's high trade tariffs, calling them a "big problem."

## 'Murder-for-hire' controversy

The alleged Indian plot to assassinate a separatist on US soil has not widely registered - only half of respondents are aware of it.

In October, the US charged a former Indian intelligence officer with attempted murder and money laundering for allegedly plotting to assassinate , a US-based advocate for an independent Sikh state, Khalistan.

This marked the first time the Indian government has been directly implicated in an alleged assassination attempt on a dissident. India has stated it is co-operating with the US investigation. In January, a panel set up by India to examine Washington's allegations  legal action against an unnamed individual believed to be the former intelligence agent.

A narrow majority of the respondents said that India would "not be justified in taking such action and hold identical feelings about the US if the positions were reversed".

## Israel and the Palestinians

Indian Americans are split along partisan party lines, with Democrats expressing greater empathy for Palestinians and Republicans leaning pro-Israel.

Four in 10 respondents believe Biden has been too pro-Israel in the ongoing conflict.

The attack in October 2023 by Hamas fighters from Gaza killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, inside Israel and saw 251 people taken hostage. Most have been released in ceasefire agreements or other arrangements.

Israel's military offensive has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Talks to prolong the fragile ceasefire, the first phase of which ended on 1 March, are expected to resume in Qatar on Monday.

## India's outlook brightens

Forty-seven percent of Indian Americans believe India is heading in the right direction, a 10 percentage point increase from four years ago.

The same share approves of Modi's performance as prime minister. Additionally, four in 10 respondents feel that India's 2024 election - where Modi's party did not get a majority - made the country more democratic.

The survey found that many Indian Americans support Modi and believe India is on the right track, yet half are unaware of the alleged assassination attempt on US soil.

Does this indicate a gap in information access, selective engagement or a tendency to overlook certain actions in favour of broader nationalist sentiment?

"It is hard to tease out the precise reason for this, but our sense is that this has more to do with selective engagement," Mr Vaishnav said.

Data collected by Carnegie in 2020 shows that around 60% of Indian Americans follow Indian government and public affairs regularly, leaving a significant portion who "engage only sporadically".

"Often people form broad impressions based on a combination of the news, social media and interactions with friends and family. Given the deluge of news in the US of late, it is not entirely surprising that the 'murder-for-hire' plot did not break through for a large section of the community," Mr Vaishnav said.

Indian Americans, while cautious about Trump and generally favouring Biden or Harris for US-India relations, continue to strongly support Modi back in India. Given Modi's nationalist policies, what accounts for this divergence?

"The survey underscores a complex portrait of the Indian American community - one shaped by a blend of selective engagement, shifting political winds and varying personal experiences."

_Follow BBC News India on_ __, _  _and_ _._

## Watch key moments from Rubio and Bondi's confirmation hearings

Watch key moments from Rubio and Bondi's confirmation hearings

Trump's pick for US attorney general was pressed on claims of election fraud and pardons for January 6 rioters.

## Watch moment Kamala Harris certifies the election result

Watch moment Kamala Harris certifies US election result

Harris, who Trump defeated in the 2024 election, presided over the event as required by the US Constitution.

## Watch key moments from Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing

Watch key moments from Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing

Donald Trump's defence secretary nominee was asked about his stance on women in combat and his alleged excessive drinking.

## Watch moment Trump names vaccine sceptic RFK Jr for health secretary

Watch moment Trump names vaccine sceptic RFK Jr for health secretary

The president-elect has nominated RFK to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

## Watch what a Republican trifecta means for Trump's second term

Watch what a Republican trifecta means for Trump's second term

Republicans have won control of both chambers of Congress, yielding Trump limited congressional oversight for at least 2 years.

## Watch moment Biden congratulates Trump

Watch moment Biden congratulates Trump

The president and president-elect shook hands as part of a long-standing tradition signifying the transfer of power.

## Watch moment Biden urges Democrats to 'get back up' after Trump win

Watch moment Biden urges Democrats to 'get back up' after Trump win

The president addressed Americans from the White House for the first time since Donald Trump's election victory.

## Watch: Biden urges Democrats to 'get back up' after Trump win

Watch: Biden urges Democrats to 'get back up' after Trump win

The president addressed Americans from the White House for the first time since Donald Trump's election victory.

## Watch: Biden urges Democrats to 'get back up' after Trump win

Watch: Biden urges Democrats to 'get back up' after Trump win

The president addressed Americans from the White House for the first time since Donald Trump's election victory.
```