'Indian-Americans sleeping giants in US presidential election'

Indian-Americans are "sleeping giants" and can make a "significant difference" in helping first ever woman United States presidential candidate Hillary Clinton break the ultimate glass ceiling, according to her Indian-origin supporters.

"Indian-Americans are the sleeping giants. In this campaign, they need to harness and galvanize the resources especially in the battle ground states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and Virginia," said Indian-American Frank Islam, a major fund raiser for the Clinton campaign.

"I personally believe and Hillary believes that they can make significant difference, if the people go out and vote," said Islam who was present at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia where Clinton was nominated.

He said if the Indian-Americans would go out and vote in these battle ground states they can play an "important role" and tip the ballots.

Islam, who was part of the delegation to travel to India with US President Barack Obama in January last year, exuded confidence that Clinton as president would take India-US relationship to the next height.

"She would be indispensable partner for India. She would advocate and embrace what President Obama has done so far," he said.

"I was so happy to be there at the historic moment when Hillary became our nominee. She has potential to lead the nation. What is important as an Indian American is that Hillary is focused on building bridges. She will go beyond all differences and unite people," said Palaniappan Andiappan, who was a member of the Credentials Committee.

Andiappan attended the Democratic National Convention, saying it was a "very energizing and electrifying experience."

"Hillary Clinton's nomination sends a powerful message that the America's major party is ready to give command of the most powerful nation to a woman. Her message of unity and holding each other resonates with majority of Americans," said Rajwant Singh, a Sikh community leader.

Noting that Clinton as the Democratic presidential candidate provides assurance to minorities especially the religious ones, Singh said Sikhs are pleased with nomination as she has been a long time friend of the community.

"She has stood by the Sikhs during the challenging times in the aftermath of 9/11. She has spoken emphatically that nobody should be made target of hate and this is exactly the kind of leadership is required to lead this nation," he said.

"We are equally thrilled with the nomination of Tim Kaine who is an ardent supporter of Sikhs to be admitted in the US armed forces without any restrictions," Rajwant said.

"I have known Tim Kaine for 10 years. His experience at every level - Local (City Councilman and Mayor), State (Lieutenant Governor and Governor), and Federal (US Senator) would absolutely make him a wonderful Vice President," said Anjan Chimaladinne, a delegate for Clinton from Virginia.

New York-based Indian-American attorney Ravi Batra said US President Barack Obama in his speech at the convention "recaptured America's election away from Trump's terms of fear and hate and back to the audacity of hope for all of the people."

Daniel F Feldman, a foreign policy adviser of the Clinton Campaign, also feels that if Clinton elected in the November general elections, she would continue to strengthen the Obama administration's policy on India and work towards economic integration of the region.

"I have seen very little he (Trump) has said on South Asia. It is a great concern that he has not sketched out his policies on a range of these issues. We do not know where he is and when he has given some policies, he has gone back and forth many times," said Feldman on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention that ended on Friday.

"We have no idea who his (Trump's) key advisers (on South Asia) are," said Feldman, who previously served as the Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and is currently associated with the international law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld.

South Asia, in the particular Af-Pak region, remains a conflict driven one and one that remain very dangerous, he said.

"Therefore we will continue to have national security interest to stay engaged and continue to try to advise on a more sustainable and more prosperous future, the one that is ultimately owned by the sovereign nations of the region," Feldman said.

Clinton has deep experience travelling to the region spending significant amount of time in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, he noted.

"I know that she would remain committed to the region and she continues to embrace the Obama Administration to the region, and also as she begins to access the information once she receives the other analysis as president, she would continue to determine what is the most pragmatic way forward to keep all of us more secure and stable," Feldman said.

Clinton, he stressed, has a very strong record on ties with India not only as the secretary of state, but also as the Senator from New York when she formed Senate India Caucus, and was its founding Co-Chair.

"During her (term as secretary of state) India bilateral relationship grew quite a bit, strategic dialogue was launched, where she went frequently and worked on common issues and engaged multilaterally and regionally," Feldman said.

"She recognises the broad opportunity of continuing the broader relationship with India and also to continue to develop relationship throughout the region," he said.

"This (South and Central Asia) remains one of the least connected, least integrated region of the world. Future is in a continued integration. And that should be done through the key partners, through sovereign nations. She would continue to support that integration. How and in what way is too premature," he said.

Responding to a question on Indo-Pak relationship in the context of the ongoing tension between the two nations over Kashmir, Feldman, speaking in his personal capacity, said, "This is something India and Pakistan must workout together".

"More channels of communications, whether that is through diplomatic channels, economic channels, through military channel, intelligence channels...the more channels of communication, the better and more stable the region," he said.

Feldman said he "looks to the leadership of both India and Pakistan in making sure that they address these issues themselves."

Image: Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton gives two thumbs up during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US. Photograph: Mark Kauzlarich/Reuters