/images/ppid_59c68470-image-177001510455326007.webp)
The Consulate General of India in New York hosted a special reception here Saturday to commemorate the 77th Republic Day of India.
Addressing the gathering, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer underlined said the Indian community in his state is "our fastest immigrant community in Delaware, as it is in many places across the country." He also mentioned the immigrant journey of the parents of Delaware’s Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez, the first Indian-American to hold the position in the US.
"The immigrant experience here and the opportunity to embrace freedom, embrace education and build wealth not just for yourselves but for American communities across our country is something really so enmeshed in the Indian-American community," Meyer said.
Also Read: India, US negotiating multi-sector bilateral trade agreement, government tells parliament
Meyer is slated to visit India in March, leading a business delegation to Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad.
US Representative Nick LaLota, Republican from Suffolk County, described the growing Indian community as the "third I" on Long Island in New York, after the Italian and the Irish communities.
LaLota cited the example of Indian-American entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Bolla Oil Corporation Harry Singh, who came to the US "with nothing but has built an empire of hundreds of gas stations" across Long Island, personifying the hard working spirit of the Indian-American community.
US Representative for New York’s 17th Congressional District Mike Lawler said the relationship between the US and India is cherished and “one that we need to continue to foster."
”When you talk about the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy, that partnership is vital for peace and stability around the globe,” Lawler said.
Lawler, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the relationship between India and the US is paramount to the work of the committee.
”I fundamentally believe that India is the most important country when it comes to the United States’ ability to ensure peace and prosperity around the globe. As we move forward, the relationship between the United States and India must be paramount, and we must get that relationship back on track and moving in the right direction,” he said.
Lawler recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to a joint session of the Congress at the United States Capitol in 2023, describing it as a “momentous” occasion.
Also Read: Donald Trump says India will buy oil from Venezuela, not Iran
He further said that from Delaware to New Jersey and New York, “we have a large and vibrant Indian-American community … We want to ensure that our Indian-American community continues to grow, continues to thrive economically, that we continue to promote and celebrate the many cultural contributions of the Indian-American community.”
Congresswoman Laura Gillen expressed gratitude to the Indian-American community, saying there is “bipartisan interest” in making sure the relationship between the United States and India is strong.
Edison Mayor Sam Joshi, who was re-elected to the post in the November 2025 elections, said the strong Indian-American community across the country, including those in business, entertainment, healthcare, life sciences, government, “have enough clout and juice to start making a national push on this” and “all of us collectively need to put our heads together” to ensure a stronger relationship between India and the US.
Also Read: Jaishankar discusses ‘many dimensions’ of India-US ties with Gor ahead of Washington visit
Consul General of India in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan said India-US relations are anchored on a comprehensive global strategic partnership manifested in the multi-faceted collaborations in every sphere of human endeavour and backed by bipartisan political support in both the countries.
Pradhan described the Indian-American community as a “strong pillar” of support for growth of the bilateral collaboration.
The reception was attended by government officials, leaders from business, academia and culture, several prominent members of the Indian-American community, members of the diplomatic corps and guests from various spheres of life.
