Indian Americans Favor Biden’s India Policy Over Trump’s: Carnegie Survey

India-West News Desk

PHILADELPHIA, PA – A recent survey by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace has found that a significant number of Indian Americans prefer President Joe Biden’s approach to India-U.S. relations over that of the first term of Donald Trump.

The survey, titled Foreign Policy Attitudes of Indian Americans: 2024 Survey Results, was conducted by Sumitra Badrinathan, Devesh Kapur, Annabel Richter, and Milan Vaishnav. Published on March 10, 2025, it highlights that Indian Americans largely believe the Biden administration has managed bilateral ties more effectively than the Trump administration.

With the deepening economic and strategic partnerships between India and the U.S., the survey aimed to gauge Indian American perspectives on key foreign policy issues. The findings were based on a nationally representative online survey of 1,206 Indian American adults, conducted in collaboration with research firm YouGov between September 18 and October 15, 2024, with a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.

Biden’s Policy More Favorable Among Indian Americans

Indian Americans responded positively to Biden’s initiatives on trade, education, and technological cooperation with India. The survey found that roughly half of the respondents approved of Biden’s handling of U.S.-India relations, with four in ten stating that the administration’s support for India was appropriately balanced between U.S. interests and values.

Apprehensions About Trump’s Approach

In contrast, many Indian Americans expressed concerns about a potential second Trump administration, citing strained trade relations, restrictive immigration policies, and inconsistent diplomatic engagements during his previous term. About four in ten respondents believed that U.S.-India relations could deteriorate under Trump, fearing a revival of past challenges in the bilateral relationship.

Lack of Awareness About Diplomatic Controversy

The survey also touched on diplomatic tensions, particularly the controversy surrounding an alleged “murder-for-hire” plot involving an Indian government official targeting a pro-Khalistan separatist on U.S. soil. However, only about half of the respondents were aware of the incident. A slim majority disapproved of such actions, regardless of the country involved, reflecting growing political awareness among Indian Americans on sensitive foreign policy issues.

Views on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The survey revealed a partisan divide among Indian Americans regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Democrats in the community were more likely to express empathy for Palestinians, while Republicans leaned toward supporting Israel. Overall, four in ten respondents believed the Biden administration was overly supportive of Israel in the ongoing conflict.

Optimism About India’s Future

Compared to 2020, Indian Americans expressed increased confidence in India’s trajectory. Forty-seven percent believed India was headed in the right direction, marking a 10-percentage point increase from four years ago. A similar share approved of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s performance, and four in ten respondents felt that India’s 2024 election made the country more democratic.

The survey underscores Indian Americans’ growing engagement with U.S. foreign policy and their evolving perspectives on India-U.S. relations under different administrations.

Also Read:- Indian Embassy Launches Second Phase Of MARG Mentoring Program