Countries such as Australia and Canada will continue to rely on immigration, much of it from South Asia. That reality carries responsibility not only for governments, but also for migrant communities themselves. South Asians—many of whom are highly visible beneficiaries of these migration systems—have a stake in strengthening social cohesion, engaging in national conversations and demonstrating, through civic participation and leadership, that demographic change can reinforce rather than fragment the societies they now call home.   

South Asians in the diaspora are facing heightened racism, from online hate to detentions and deportations. But too often, the instinct is to treat these crises as uniquely South Asian, disconnected from the very systems that have long harmed Black communities. A few people will gesture toward broader solidarity, but the structural analysis stops at the border of identity.

India’s strength lies in its civilizational diversity, its age-old tradition of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (where the world is seen as one family) and no attempt to paint with a monochromatic brush can bring the real Indian canvas to life. Zohran Mamdani’s ideas – plural, liberal and invaluable – resonate with the core of a new India and make him stand out as a leader worth celebrating.