This is an archive article published on June 23, 2023
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What is the Samosa Caucus in the US House, which PM Modi referred to
“Samosa Caucus” is the name given to an informal grouping of Indian-origin Americans in the US Congress.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves as he arrives to address a joint meeting of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Modi referred to US Vice President Kamala Harris (left) as he spoke about the recent success Americans of Indian origin have seen in US politics. Standing beside Harris is House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (AP/PTI).
In his speech to the joint sitting of the United States Congress on Thursday (June 22) evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the “Samosa Caucus” in the House of Representatives, the name that is sometimes used to refer to the informal grouping of Indian-origin Americans in Congress.
“The foundation of America was inspired by the vision of a nation of equal people. Throughout your history, you have embraced people from around the world. And, you have made them equal partners in the American dream. There are millions here, who have roots in India. Some of them sit proudly in this chamber,” the Prime Minister said.
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“There is one behind me, who has made history!” Modi said, referring to Vice President Kamala Harris. He then said: “I am told that the Samosa Caucus is now the flavour of the House. I hope it grows and brings the full diversity of Indian cuisine here.”
The term Samosa Caucus has been in use since at least 2018, and it is said to have been coined by Raja Krishnamoorthy, member of the US House of Representatives from Illinois’s 8th District. It seeks to draw, as a third edit in The Indian Express that year pointed out, that “we ourselves identify strongly with the samosa”, and “even the Internet’s repository of Indian slang is called Samosapedia”.
There are, at present, five US Representatives with Indian roots. A sixth, Vice President Harris, is the leader of the Senate. All are Democrats.
The five Representatives are: Shri Shamal Thanedar (68) from Michigan’s 13th District; Dr Ami Bera (58), representing the 6th District of California; Ro Khanna (46), representing the 17th District of California; Pramila Jayapal, representing Washington’s 7th District; and Krishnamoorthy himself.
Americans of Indian origin hold a range of important positions in the Biden Administration, and represent a powerful voice in American policymaking.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves as he arrives to address a joint meeting of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Modi referred to US Vice President Kamala Harris (left) as he spoke about the recent success Americans of Indian origin have seen in US politics. Standing beside Harris is House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (AP/PTI). 
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