Lessons from Jewish Diaspora
Indian diaspora numbers must be coupled with narrative, unity, and institutions to convert potential into power
The State of Israel and the Jewish diaspora have a symbiotic relationship. Diaspora Jews were central actors in lobbying for US recognition of Israel in 1948, in fundraising, shaping US foreign aid, and sustaining Israel’s international legitimacy. Over decades, institutions such as AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) have given the US Jewish community a powerful lever in Washington.
Founded in 1951, AIPAC today is one of the most influential pro-Israel lobbying groups — spending heavily in US elections and influencing congressional foreign-policy outcomes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s outreach stands out for its intensity. Flagship diaspora events (eg, ‘Howdy, Modi’ in Houston) aimed to mobilise global Indians aggressively. However, critics argue that the outreach is event-centric and lacks sustainability. Many in the Indian diaspora feel that India views them instrumentally — as useful for financial gain or soft power, but not as equal stakeholders.
Migration, Settlement
Jewish immigration to the United States came in successive waves beginning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often driven by persecution. These communities established roots and became multigenerational, resulting in deep institutional embedding in US life. The founding of Israel in 1948 merged diaspora identity with a territorial nation.
Indian migration, by contrast, is a more recent phenomenon. Until the 1965 US Immigration and Nationality Act, Indian immigration was severely restricted. The wave accelerated further in the 1990s with the rise of IT and H-1B visas. Many Indian Americans today are first-generation or second-generation, and a significant share remains on green cards or long-term visa paths.
The Jewish community has had over a century to build dense institutions and a unified community identity. Indian-American institutions are still taking shape. The shorter time span means the Indian diaspora is less bonded, less institutionally mature, and more heterogeneous by language, religion, and region.
Contrasting Pictures
The age profiles further underline their differences. Indian Americans are strikingly young with an overall median age of about 34. Immigrants average 40 years, while US-born Indian Americans have a median age of just 13.4 years — nearly 60 per cent under 18. This signals a second generation poised to shape American politics in coming decades.
By contrast, Jewish Americans have a median age of 49 years, with 29 per cent of adults aged 65 or older. This older age profile reflects generational wealth and institutional continuity.
The economic profile highlights another difference. Indian Americans have the highest median household income of any ethnic group in the US at about USD 145,000 — more than double the national median. They dominate STEM fields, medicine, finance, and management.
Jewish Americans report a lower median household income — around $97,000 — but they far surpass Indians in accumulated wealth. The median net worth of Jewish households is estimated at USD 4,43,000.
Indian remittances reflect strong homeland ties, reaching USD 135 billion in 2024. On the other hand, Jewish Americans channel wealth into US political funding and philanthropy directed toward Israel.
Identity, Politics, and Lobbying
Kamala Harris, despite her Indian mother, rarely highlights her Indian heritage in political life. Nikki Haley converted to Christianity and downplayed her ancestry. By contrast, Jewish identity has been integral to political life in America. Jewish Americans openly embrace their heritage and have built institutions such as AIPAC, which has shaped US foreign policy for decades.
Indian politicians have not systematically built a connection with the Indian diaspora. Barring Modi, most Indian leaders maintained weak ties. Israel’s early leaders, David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir, institutionalised lobbying through the diaspora as a bipartisan, organised force. India’s multi-polar and independent foreign policy contrasts with Israel’s, making lobbying among US Congressional leaders much more difficult.
Race and visibility influence assimilation. Jewish Americans, largely of European descent, were historically able to blend into the white mainstream. Indians stand out more visibly, which adds complexity to integration in ways that differ sharply from the Jewish experience.
Voices, Perspectives
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor notes India’s under-leveraging of its diaspora. Indian Americans often ask what India can do for them, whereas Jewish Americans see their lobbying as strengthening Israel. The Jewish diaspora has long-established institutions, media lobbies, and think tanks in Washington. Indian diaspora advocacy is still maturing, often relying on niche ethnic media with little national visibility.
Comparative Lessons
Indians are numerous, young, and highly successful in income terms, yet they lack the organisational depth of Jews. Jewish Americans are fewer but older, wealthier per capita, and vastly more institutionally entrenched. For India, the lesson is clear: diaspora numbers must be coupled with narrative, unity, and institutions to convert potential into power.
