In recent years, individuals of Indian origin have increasingly ascended to prominent positions in global politics and corporate leadership, marking a significant shift in the landscape of international influence. This trend underscores not only their individual achievements but also the growing recognition of their capabilities on the world stage.
Political Leadership.
One of the most notable figures is U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who made history as the first woman, first Black person, and first person of South Asian descent to hold the second-highest office in the United States. As the presumptive Democratic Party candidate for the November presidential election, Harris could become the first woman President of the United States. Before becoming Vice President, she was a U.S. Senator and the Attorney General of California.
Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and former Governor of South Carolina, has also played a pivotal role in American politics, demonstrating strong leadership and diplomatic acumen on the international stage. Several other people of Indian descent hold prominent roles in the current U.S. government and state governments, including Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and Lieutenant Governor of Maryland Aruna Miller.
In addition to these prominent figures, several Indian Americans have been elected to the U.S. Congress. Currently, there are five individuals of Indian heritage serving in Congress: Congressman Ro Khanna, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthy, Congressman Shri Thanedar, Congressman Ami Bera, and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.
Indian Americans represent around 1% of the U.S. population. For the first time in American history, they now represent roughly 1% of the U.S. Congress.
The influence of people of Indian origin is not limited to the United States, it is evident worldwide. Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel, former Home Secretary, are among the prominent politicians of Indian descent in Britain. Sunak, the current Opposition Leader, held the position of Chancellor of the Exchequer before becoming the Prime Minister. A total of 28 British Indians were elected to the British Parliament in the most recent election.
Corporate Leadership.
Turning to the corporate arena, Indian-origin leaders have carved out influential roles across various industries worldwide. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary Google, has been instrumental in driving innovation and expanding the tech giant’s global footprint. Ajay Banga, the current President of the World Bank, is also an Indian-born American.
Satya Nadella, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft; Shantanu Narayen, CEO of Adobe Inc.; Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo; Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM; and Laxman Narasimhan, CEO of Starbucks, are among the other influential corporate leaders of Indian descent.
There are also many prominent figures of Indian descent in the U.S. media, both electronic and print. Notable among them are Sanjay Gupta, Fareed Zakaria, Manu Raju, Mehdi Hasan, and Ali Velshi.
It is noteworthy that most of these individuals, with a few exceptions, are immigrants, Indian born. As we reflect on their achievements, the global stage is witnessing a new era of leadership, where individuals of Indian origin are playing increasingly pivotal roles in shaping the world we live in today and the future that lies ahead.
