Washington, Nov 23 : Indian-American leaders have praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his unwavering commitment to “inclusive growth” and the safety and security of minority communities in India.
At the Global Equity Alliance Summit, held on Friday at Washington Adventist University, leaders from various Indian-American communities acknowledged Modi’s leadership in fostering an inclusive environment for all citizens, particularly minorities. The summit, organized in collaboration with the Indian Minorities Foundation and Chandigarh University, also marked the launch of the Association of American Indian Minorities. The initiative was created in response to a series of attacks on Hindu temples in the US and Canada earlier this year.
In recognition of Modi’s efforts toward minority welfare and inclusive development, the summit honored him with the prestigious Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Global Peace Award for Minority Upliftment. Since Modi could not attend, the award was received on his behalf by Chandigarh University Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu.
The Association of American Indian Minorities aims to unite minorities across the globe, ensuring their safety and security. Jasdip Singh Jasse, the founder and chairman of the association, emphasized that the organization’s efforts would extend beyond the US, promoting Modi’s vision of minority upliftment worldwide.
“Modi’s vision for minority welfare inspired us to form this organization. This is not just about the US—our goal is to expand Modi’s values of security and development for minorities globally,” Jasse stated.
Dr. Cheryl Harris Kisunzu, Provost at Washington Adventist University, drew a parallel between Modi and Martin Luther King Jr., praising both for recognizing the power of a dream to elevate all people. “Both understand the need for a strong legal structure to make those dreams a reality,” she said.
Elisha B Pulivarti, CEO of the US India SME Council, highlighted that Modi’s leadership has also benefited minority groups like Christians. “Today, Christians are safe in India. As a Christian myself, I know many bishops and work closely with them in India. We thank Modi for his work with the Christian community and other minorities,” he remarked.
Board members of the new association, including Baljinder Singh, Dr. Sukhpal Dhanoa, Pawan Bezwada, Dipak Thakker, Juned Qazi, and Nissim Reuben, also expressed their gratitude. Reuben, in particular, thanked the Indian leadership for the safety and well-being of the Jewish minority in India.
David Byrd, former National Director of the US Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency, lauded India’s neutral yet strategic role on the global stage, calling the country “the new Switzerland” for its efforts in fostering international peace and cooperation.
