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www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 9 CITY VIEWS May 8, 2026 South Asian Americans Gather In D.C. To Counter Hate, Affirm Message: We Belong I ndian American Impact, an advo- cacy organization that advocates for expanding the community’s political footprint, hosted its annual Summit, Gala, and South Asian Hill Day, April 21 and 22, 2026, bringing together more than 300 South Asian American lead- ers, organizers, elected officials, artists, students, and advocates from across the country under this year’s theme: We Belong. The event coincided with the 10th anniversary of the founding of Impact. Organizers said the convening came “at a pivotal moment for South Asian com- munities amid rising anti-immigrant rhetoric, growing political attacks, and renewed questions of belonging.” Over two days, attendees discussed how to build the community, advance policy solutions, and demonstrate the growing civic power of Indian and South Asian Americans, an April 28 press release from Impact said. Highlights of the event included: South Asian Hill Day Joined by 21 partner organizations serving the South Asian diaspora, advo- cates held meetings with more than 70 House and Senate offices, highlighting priorities on immigrant rights, voting rights, and combating hate violence, “and making clear that South Asian Americans belong at every decision-making table.” Summit & Gala: From Care to Action Anchored by the themeWe Belong, the Summit opened with former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy in conversation on community care, loneliness, and what it means to show up for one another in difficult times. Policy issues were discussed in depth, ranging from the effect of artificial intel- ligence and immigrant rights to next-gen- eration political leadership. ‘Action Labs’ included opportunities for participants to phonebank South Asian Virginia voters ahead of a key referendum election in which AAPI voters proved deci- sive, alongside trainings in media advo- cacy and writing letters to the editor. The Gala concluded the event where attendees celebrated a decade of building political power and honored trailblazers. Honorees included Pennsylvania State Senator Nikil Saval and former senior advisor to President Biden, Neera Tanden. Former Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta delivered a talk about how momen- tous a time it was and what is at stake in this moment. Other high-profile attendees included Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi; U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Suhas Subramanyam, and Raja Krishnamoorthi; Executive Di- rector of the ACLU of Minnesota Deepin- der Mayell; Manjusha Kulkarni, co-found- er of Stop AAPI Hate; as well as dozens of organizers, policymakers, journalists, and emerging South Asian elected officials, the press release noted. Executive Director of Indian American Impact Chintan Patel said, “At a moment when our communities are being targeted and our loyalty questioned, we came to Washington not to ask for belonging, but to assert it. We met with Congress, orga- nized across generations, and made clear that South Asian Americans are not on the sidelines of this democracy; we are help- ing shape its future. In the face of hate, our answer is not silence. It is solidarity, action, and power.” By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:CATCH MOTION STUDIO COURTESY IMPACT South Asian Day on the Hill: Advocates held more than 70 direct meetings with Members of Congress and staff on April 21, 2026. Leading healthcare experts, including the 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Vivek Murthy, speak to attendees at the Impact Summit: We Belong hosted by Indian American Impact on April 20, 2026 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. I ndia’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, met with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to deliberate on strategies for enhancing economic and technological ties between the two regions. During the meeting held in Harrisburg on Monday, the Ambassador provided a detailed briefing on India’s rapid economic expansion, specifically highlighting the ongo- ing “infrastructure, digital, and manufacturing transfor- mation”. Expressing optimism over the bilateral engagement, Governor Shapiro shared his vision for the partnership on X. “I look forward to continuing to work together to attract more investment, expand our talent pipelines, and create more good-paying jobs for both Pennsylva- nians and Indians alike,” he stated. According to a post by the Indian Embassy on X, the discussions were centred on leveraging India’s growth to create mutual opportunities in high-tech sectors and industrial development. This high-level dialogue underscores an economic and academic relationship that continues to strengthen, de- fined by substantial capital flows, a prominent diaspora, and strategic alliances in sectors such as information technology, life sciences, and manufacturing. As of 2026, these bilateral engagements remain fo- cused on accelerating technological advancement, foster- ing job creation, and stimulating mutual investment to sustain long-term growth. This momentum is supported by the fact that India has emerged as a critical trading partner for the state, with numerous Pennsylvania-based firms establishing signifi- cant footprints in India’s food processing, agriculture, and chemical industries. The investment flow remains reciprocal, as over 18 Indian enterprises have injected more than USD 540 mil- lion into the Pennsylvania economy to date. This robust relationship is further bolstered by formal agreements, such as the partnership established in 2020 between Pennsylvania and the Kutch Region of Gujarat, which focuses specifically on economic synergy and col- laboration. The state’s demographic landscape also plays a pivotal role in this partnership, with more than 200,000 Indian- Americans residing in Pennsylvania, serving as a vital bridge between the two regions. Beyond the workforce, the academic bond is rein- forced by nearly 10,000 Indian students enrolled in the state’s educational institutions, fostering a continuous exchange of talent. These educational and research ties are anchored by the University of Pennsylvania, home to the Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI). Founded in 1992, it holds the distinction of being the first research centre in the United States dedicated to the study of contemporary India. -ANI Indian Envoy Kwatra, Pennsylvania Governor Discuss Boosting Economic And Technological Ties PHOTO:ANI India’s Ambassador Vinay Kwatra meets Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shap- iro.