Nikki Haley's historic appointment to a cabinet-rank post by Republican President-elect Donald Trump that caps the election of five Indian Americans to Congress this year has been welcomed by the community as a sign of its political emergence.
Shalabh Kumar, the founder of the Republican Hindu Coalition, described South Carolina governor's appointment as United Nations Ambassador as the "Third Diwali" after the festival itself and Trump's election. Echoing a broad sentiment among community leaders IANS spoke to, he said it was a "proud moment for Indian Americans".
Shekhar Narasimhan, a Democratic Party activist and fundraiser, said her appointment "shows that we have made it" as a community. "We don't have to agree on everything, on policy, but we can celebrate the fact that we now have a place at the most important table in Washington, the cabinet," he said.
The job of US Permanent Representative, or ambassador, to the UN is a cabinet-level position unlike in most countries and goes to political appointees because of its high visibility in the global arena.
Narasimhan said another sign of the community's growing influence in US politics is the number of Indian American members of Congress going up from one to five in this year's elections -- all of them Democrats. Of them, Kamala Harris, is the first Indian American elected to the senate.
A.D. Amar, President of 'Indian Americans for Trump', said Haley has achieved the status she deserves and it is good for India and the community.
One of the pioneers of non-partisan community activism, Thomas Abraham, said: "It is a historic moment for the Indian-American community that one of its own has been appointed to a top-level position."
"As a deal-maker, she will do very well to negotiate terms with UN member-countries," said Abraham, who is now the Chairman of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International and has been working for about 40 years to get Indian Americans to become politically active.
Harpreet Sandhu, executive director of the Friends of the American Sikh Caucus, said he was especially excited because Haley is a daughter of Punjab.
Trump said he would be inclusive as President and her appointment shows he is living up to it, Sandhu said.
Deepak Kavadia, the founder of the New York-based Non-Resident Indians Federation, said, "Trump has said that he would support Indian Americans, and this is his first step in keeping his word."
However, there has been an undercurrent of hostility among some Indian Americans to her because she is a Republican. A Democratic Party activist, Varun Nikore, brought this to the surface questioning her competence because of the lack of foreign policy experience. "It's not about being an Indian American, but finding the best person for the job," he said.
With her experience limited to governorship and the state legislature, "she would find it very difficult", said Nikore, who is a Vice Chair of the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Victory Fund that endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Kumar, who has emerged as an important personality in Indian-American Republican politics, said, "We believe we have made a crucial difference in US politics and mobilising Indian Americans has given Trump an edge in the swing states that finally pushed him to victory." He added, "And that is being recognised."
Indian Americans have historically identified themselves with Democratic Party and Kumar has been trying to change this. He arranged for Trump to attend a rally organised in New Jersey by the Republican Hindu Coalition in the middle of a hectic campaign. This was the first time any presidential candidate had directly reached out to the community.
Trump has personally made an impact on the community, said Amar. "Many Indian Americans have told me they used to be Democrats but because of him they have become Republicans."
Kumar, who is also the chair of the Indian American Advisory Council of the House Republican Conference, said, "Haley's appointment will bring India and the United States closer together and it is quite possible India will get a push for a (permanent) seat on the Security Council because of her."
Kumar noted that Haley attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Square Garden rally in 2014 and has visited India.
From the other side of the political divide, Narasihman said that both parties are recognising the importance of Indian Americans who have talent. Her elevation to a cabinet-level position is a natural evolution in US politics, Narasimhan said.
He said that 18 Indian Americans have worked in President Barack Obama's White House in key posts, mostly away from the glare of publicity making their mark, and it was time some one from the community reached the cabinet level.
"I am biased and would have preferred that to happen in a Democratic administration, but I am very glad that with Nikki Haley we have made it," he said.
Although he is a Democrat and the founder of the AAPI Victory Fund, Narasimhan said that for over 20 years he has been pushing Indian Americans to join politics regardless of party affiliation. What is important is that those entering politics should not forget their roots, he said. "Haley has made an effort to connect to the community."
UNITED NATIONS HAILS INDIAN-AMERICAN NIKKI HALEY'S NOMINATION AS NEXT US ENVOY
The United Nations have welcomed the nomination of Indian-American Nikki Haley as the next US envoy to the world body, terming it as a good sign for the future.
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary- General, said it is heartening to see an effort to get the position of the Permanent Representative to the UN filled as quickly or named, as quickly as this.
"So that's a good sign for the future," he said in response to a question.
"We are aware of the naming of Nikki Haley, and it's someone with whom officials here are acquainted in terms of being aware of her position on many issues, including the laudable comments she made following the horrifying racist shootings in Charleston, South Carolina," Haq said.
Two of the closest American allies, Israel and the United Kingdom, have also welcomed the decision to appoint Haley as the next US envoy to the United Nations.
"I welcome the announcement of the intention to appoint Governor Nikki Haley as the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations," the Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said after Trump nominated Haley as his Ambassador to the UN.
If confirmed by the Senate, Haley would be the first Indian-American to ever serve in a Cabinet position to any presidential administration.
"Haley is a longstanding and true friend of Israel and is an outspoken fighter against the BDS movement in her state, and throughout the US," Danon said.
"I know that we at the Israeli Mission will continue to work in full partnership with our friends in the American Mission, as we further strengthen the special bond and shared values between Israel and the US," he said.
The British Ambassador to the UN Matthew Rycroft welcomed Haley's nomination.
"I congratulate her on her nomination and I look forward to working closely with her," the Ambassador told reporters when asked if he had any concerns that Haley has pretty much zero foreign policy experience.
"She will bring to the UN a strong track record of achievement from South Carolina, and I know that the UK-US relationship will continue to go from strength to strength," he said.
"As you know, we sit literally side by side in the Security Council, and we will continue to be shoulder to shoulder," Rycroft said.
Haley, 44, was named as the US envoy to the UN yesterday by President-elect Donald Trump, as she scripted history by becoming the first-ever Indian-American to be appointed to a cabinet-level post in any US administration.
INDIAN-AMERICANS HAIL NIKKI HALEY'S NOMINATION AS US ENVOY TO UN
Indian-Americans have hailed the nomination of Nikki Haley as the US envoy to the UN, saying this would further strengthen Indo-US ties under the incoming Trump administration.
If confirmed, Haley, 44, would be the first ever Cabinet-level official to ever serve in any US presidential administration.
This would not only bring the Indian-American community closer to the Republican party, but further strengthen India-US relationship, said Sampat Shivangi, a Republican leader, who holds the distinction of attending the last four Republican National Convention.
"This is a masterstroke. Now India has a friend at the highest world body. May be in securing India's rightful place at the UN Security Council and other important matters. One thing to admire about Haley she has not forgotten her roots or heritage," Shivangi said.
Haley is a great choice for the UN Ambassador post, said M Rangaswami, a Silicon Valley-based Indian-American entrepreneur.
"She has had prior experience in South Carolina with foreign companies and governments. Nikki has been to India and has a good relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.
"The Indian-American community is excited that we now have someone at the cabinet level in the US government for the very first time!" he added.
"It's a proud moment for all Indian-Americans on President-elect Trump's choice of Governor Nikki Haley as US ambassador to the United Nations," said Puneet Ahluwalia, who was advisor to the Trump Campaign on Asia Pacific Islanders committee.
"Haley's appointment -- her Indian and Sikh heritage -- is a clear indication of inclusivity for the incoming administration," Ahluwalia said.
"Trump's nomination of Nikki Haley to be our ambassador to the UN and to sit at the Horse Shoe table of the Security Council, a cabinet level position, has taken my breath away," said Ravi Batra, a top Indian-American attorney in New York.
Welcoming the appointment of Haley, Ashok Mago from Texas said this is just the beginning.
"Governor Haley has done a tremendous work as South Carolina's first female and Indian American Governor and she will surely succeed as the top diplomat at the United Nations," said Sanjay Puri, chairman of the US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC).
USINPAC has been working with the Trump transition team to make sure that qualified Indian Americans have the opportunity to serve in the Trump administration, Puri said.
Last week, USINPAC had hosted Congressman Lou Barletta, and Matt Keelen, a republican strategist and consultant for the Trump campaign, for a google hangout.
In addition to Haley, Keelen had said Trump is also considering the former Indian-origin governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal for a position in his administration.
Keelen said Trump understood the importance of US-India ties, as the two nations share the same values, face the same issues with terrorist attacks on their soil.
