The role of the Indian diaspora has become increasingly significant in the last two decades. From the United States to the United Kingdom (which also recently saw an Indian-origin Prime Minister) to the Middle East, the diaspora today plays an important role in India’s relationships with various nations.

The rise of Kamala Harris and her nomination to the Democratic Presidential nomination is a first in many ways: as a woman of colour and as a child of immigrants. Her story is also a success story for Indian immigrants, and not just in the US. While in India, there has been a positive buzz that a daughter of an Indian mother might make it to the White House, it is also then the right time to take a look at how this relationship between India and its diaspora has evolved during these years.

Addressing an event today titled ‘Indiaspora Impact Report: Small Community, Big Contributions, Boundless Horizons’ in Delhi, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar when asked about the upcoming US elections and how India is ready to deal with the new administration, said that India has the confidence to work with any US president whoever he or she will be.

“The American system will throw up its verdict and we have every confidence that we will be able to work with the President of the United States whoever he or she will be…,” said the external affairs minister.

The minister spoke about the contributions of the Indian diaspora and pointed out that with respect to the evolution of India-US relations and the Indian diaspora in the US

But he did strike a cautionary note about the general world scenario. “If you ask me about my view of the world, I am an optimistic person; generally I tend to think about solutions to the problems,rather than the problems that come out of solutions. We are going through an exceptionally difficult period. There is a very grim forecast for the next five years.”

The diaspora event also saw the presence of the US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti who spoke about India-US ties and the contributions made by Indians living in the US. He referred to Harris as a ‘daughter of India’ and pointed out that Kamala Harris is the first Indian American to be a nominee for a party. He even referred to Los Angeles as a great Indian city (he was the Mayor of LA before taking up his assignment in New Delhi). Talking about India-US ties, he said that “we have one heart” and that there ain’t no stopping us now”.

So as the US heads to polls in November, one thing is clear. India is set to deal with whoever America chooses and the diaspora will shape India’s image on the global stage. – Simran Sodhi is Executive Editor of nrifocus.com