Indian diaspora population grows from 1.9 million in 2000 to over 5 million in 2023; Indian students up from 54,664 to 331,600
Stressing its commitment to stronger India-US relations, a top state department official noted that a record 130 number of Indian Americans were appointed to senior positions by the outgoing Biden-Harris Administration.
“When examining USIndia ties, the numbers speak for themselves. From day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has been deeply invested in this relationship: now stronger than ever,” Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma said at an event at the State Department.
“I look forward to seeing this partnership grow for decades to come,” he said giving numbers showing deepening partnership between the two countries in diverse fields.
Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra and key partners in US-India cooperation attended the event to “celebrate our progress on trade, defense, people-to-people ties, and commitment to tackling global challenges together.”
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Verma, the first Indian American to serve as US Ambassador to India, noted that two-way trade has grown from $20 billion in 2000 to about $195 billion in 2023 with defense trade growing from nil to $24 billion during the same period. Two-way trade in 2024 is expected to cross $200 billion.
Similarly Indian Students in the US have gone up from 54,664 in 2000 to 331,600 in 2023 as diaspora population in the US grew from 1.9 million
to over five million. There are nearly 300 exchange programs between 37 out of India’s top 50 colleges and 205 US universities.
Over one million visas were issued by US Mission in India in 2023 with plans afoot for new US consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, while India plans for new Indian consulates in Boston and Los Angeles.
Verma noted that 20% of unicorns in the US have Indian migrants as founders/ co-founders and US is biggest source of remittances to India in 2023
Highlighting their defense ties, Verma noted that India is the top military exercise partner of the US this year with several joint Exercises: Malabar (naval), Yudh Abhyas (army), Cope India (air force), Vajra Prahar (counter-terrorism), and Tiger Triumph (amphibious).