International
oi-Prakash KL
Will US President Donald Trump pay a political price for the strained relationship with India in the US midterm elections on November 3? It appears to be contributing to some extent, with a new survey finding that an overwhelming majority of Indian Americans plan to vote for Democratic candidates in the upcoming polls.
Although strained ties with India are not the only source of discontent among American voters, the survey shows that the Republican Party’s handling of India has not gone down well with a community that had shifted towards Trump in the 2024 presidential election. A solid 66 per cent said they would vote for Democratic candidates in Senate races, while only 18 per cent backed Republicans, according to the latest 2026 Asian American Voter Survey.
Recent surveys indicate 66% of Indian Americans favor Democratic candidates, citing significant disapproval of Trump’s job performance and handling of US-India relations, potentially affecting Republican election outcomes.
In House contests, the numbers were nearly identical, with 66 per cent favouring Democrats and 22 per cent supporting the GOP.
The survey found that Democrats enjoy a similar advantage across the broader Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, with 60 per cent favouring Democratic Senate candidates and 24 per cent preferring Republicans. In House races, 64 per cent backed Democrats, compared with 22 per cent for Republicans.
About 90 per cent of registered AAPI respondents said they plan to vote in November, up from 84 per cent in 2022 and 86 per cent in 2018.
So, what is behind the shift away from Trump?
A separate 2026 Indian American Attitudes Survey by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace offers some clues. As many as 71 per cent of Indian Americans disapproved of Trump’s job performance, while only 29 per cent approved.
The dissatisfaction cuts across several issues, including immigration, the economy, trade policies and tariffs. Trump’s handling of US-India relations has also drawn criticism, with 55 per cent of respondents saying they disapproved of his performance on the issue, while only 20 per cent approved.
The findings suggest that the gains Trump made among Indian American voters in 2024 may not be holding as the community reassesses his policies and record in office.
The Asian American Voter Survey found that the cost of living and inflation are the biggest concerns for AAPI voters, with 90 per cent describing them as “very” or “extremely” important. Healthcare followed at 82 per cent, while jobs, Social Security and education were also major concerns.
On these issues, Asian American voters place greater trust in Democrats. For instance, 44 per cent said Democrats would do a better job of handling inflation, compared with 18 per cent who preferred Republicans.
Trump’s unpopularity is not confined to Indian Americans. Around 70 per cent of Asian American voters view him unfavourably, potentially making it more difficult for Republicans to make further inroads into one of the fastest-growing voting blocs in the US.
An estimated 16 million AAPI voters will be eligible to vote in 2026, including 1.6 million who have become eligible since 2022. Indian Americans form a significant part of that electorate, with the US Census Bureau estimating the Indian-origin population at 5.2 million in 2023.
Indian Americans have traditionally leaned Democratic, although their voting patterns have become less predictable in recent election cycles.
US-India relations have faced significant strain during Trump’s second term, with steep trade tariffs, disagreements over energy security and differences over broader geopolitical issues emerging as key points of contention.
