Biden to celebrate Diwali in White House amid Indian-American drift away from Dems

TOI correspondent from Washington: US President Joe Biden is celebrating Diwali in the White House on Monday evening with Indian-American invitees amid a survey showing a small section of the community drifting towards the Republican Party even though Democrats retain majority support.

"Continuing a tradition from previous years, the President will light a Diya lamp in the Blue Room before his remarks," the White House said, underscoring that the event was part of a continuing tradition Biden has celebrated before. White House Diwali celebration began during the George W Bush Presidency and continued through the Obama, Trump, and Biden White House.

The White House said the President's remarks will include a video message from Sunita "Suni" Williams, a decorated Indian-American astronaut who recorded it in the International Space Station where she is stranded at end of an eight-month stay.

"Suni is a practising Hindu and has previously sent Diwali greetings from the ISS to people across the globe. She has also brought multiple Indian/Hindu cultural items-including samosas and copies of Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita-with her to space in celebration of her heritage," the White House said.

Nootana, a classical South Asian dance and music ensemble based in Washington, DC, will provide musical entertainment for guests, in addition to the Marine Corps Band.

The annual heritage outreach, among the many the White House hosts, comes amid a new survey, the "2024 Indian-American Attitudes," that says Indian-Americans remain solidly behind the Democratic Party but there was been a modest uptick in support for Republican candidates and former president Donald Trump.

According to the survey, Indian-Americans favor Kamala Harris 61-31 over Trump in the upcoming election, a down draft from the 68-22 Indian-American support that Joe Biden had over Trump in 2020. There are an estimated 2.6 million citizens of Indian-origin in the US and they form key voting bloc in some swing states.