Washington / New Delhi: The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) on Monday issued a statement clarifying that it does not act as a spokesperson for any Indian government or political party, following remarks by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor questioning the Indian-American community’s silence on major policy issues affecting India–US relations.

In a recent interaction with a delegation of Indian-American politicians visiting India, Tharoor reportedly expressed disappointment that the diaspora had not been more vocal amid rising tensions between the two countries over issues such as tariffs and the H-1B visa programme. He said one US legislator had told him her office had not received any calls from Indian-American constituents urging her to take up India-related concerns.

Tharoor questions diaspora’s silence on India–US issues

Tharoor, who has frequently written about the global influence of the Indian diaspora, said he found the relative quiet of Indian-origin Americans “surprising,” especially in contrast to other immigrant communities such as Jewish-Americans and Cuban-Americans, who are known for their active political advocacy in the US.

He noted that this silence comes at a time when the Donald Trump administration has sharply raised the H-1B visa fee to USD 100,000, a move that directly affects Indian technology firms and skilled professionals. “The silence of Indian-origin tech CEOs, who are among the largest users of this visa category, is particularly puzzling,” Tharoor observed.

Hindu American Foundation issues firm response

Responding to Tharoor’s remarks, the Hindu American Foundation said it was wrong to expect Indian-American groups to act as lobbying arms for the Indian government. “As American citizens of Indian origin, we are in a unique position to provide nuance to often one-dimensional narratives about India and Indians,” the foundation stated.

“We help elected leaders understand ground realities in India and dispel disinformation — not as mouthpieces for any Indian government or political party, but as Americans who straddle both cultures and are engaged in the democratic processes of our own country. And we do,” it added.

The foundation further emphasised that the role of Indian-origin Americans should not be equated with that of official representatives. “We do not work as the spokesperson of any Indian government or political party,” the statement said.

Suhag Shukla: “Diaspora is not India’s lobbyist”

HAF’s Executive Director Suhag A. Shukla also weighed in, saying that neither the Indian government nor its critics should expect diaspora groups to serve as de facto lobbyists. “The Government of India does not ask our approval for its oil policy or import duties, and so Shashi Tharoor and the GOI shouldn’t be expecting us to champion their sovereign policy decisions with the U.S. government. They can hire lobbyists for that,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Shukla’s statement underlined the often-delicate balance Indian-Americans must maintain — being culturally connected to India while politically accountable to their adopted homeland.

Indian-Americans defend their position

Tharoor’s comments sparked a lively debate within the Indian-American community, with several members pointing out the unique challenges they face. Many argued that they are often perceived as “foreign agents” in India and “deportable” in the United States, making it difficult to take strong public positions on sensitive political issues.

“As American citizens of Indian origin, we must navigate dual identities carefully,” one community member wrote online, adding that the expectation of public alignment with Indian policies can be both unrealistic and counterproductive.

Tharoor welcomes the debate

In response to HAF’s pushback, Tharoor clarified that his intention was not to criticise but to encourage reflection. “I’m happy that my questions got the diaspora thinking,” he said on X. “Their challenges are indeed different from those of Jewish-Americans and Cuban-Americans, the examples I cited in my piece. But that doesn’t mean that within the rules of US democracy, they can’t make their voices heard — as these other groups so effectively do!”

Balancing identity and influence

The exchange highlights an ongoing conversation within the Indian diaspora about how best to engage in global politics without being seen as partisan or nationalistic. As India’s global profile grows, diaspora organisations like HAF continue to face the dual challenge of advocating for nuanced understanding while maintaining independence from political influence — both Indian and American.