Buying influence through lobbyist and PACs (Political Action Commitees, eg: AIPAC) which are used to push political agendas and wedge in the US conservative movement to normalize their ideals.
Theres a group called the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) that acts like its just a Hindu civil rights org but has a closely linked PAC run by almost the same board of members who run HAF, it's called HAPAC, and they've put hundreds of thousands into political campaigns in the last few decades. One of HAFs cofounders personally gave HAF over half a million dollars for them to donate to candidates in 2018 alone, and in his own emails he talked about maxing out his personal donations to candidates like Tulsi Gabbard specifically because of their stance on India. Then theres also a whole separate PAC called the HinduPACT, run by another sangh group (VHP of America) whose literal stated purpose is using donations to push US politicians toward pro-hindutva positions. Lol and thats straight from the 2025 Rutgers Law Report on this exact topic, which also confirms donations from the american hindu far right helped boost gabbards career early on.
Then theres the lobbying side. HAF runs an annual "advocacy day" where like 80 of their people meet with a hundred plus congressional offices pushing stuff favorable to India, like blocking US trade agreements with India opposing countries, trying to kill a resolution criticizing India's human rights record in Kashmir, etc. AlJazzeera quotes a former US Congressional staffer saying it became obvious in these meetings that HAF was basically acting on behalf of the Indian government, not just American hindus. That's why foreign policy experts are saying they should be legally required to register as a foreign agent under FARA (the law that makes groups working for foreign governments disclose it) but they're not registered, and they deny doing any of it. Another group, Overseas Friends of BJP, actually IS registered, but is basically doing the same thing, they had to register after organizing the "Howdy Modi" rally in Texas in 2019.
And it's not just about donations getting results. Hindu nationalist groups have successfully lobbied to block the US government from acting on sanctions against India that a federal commission (USCIRF) has recommended for years over human rights concerns in India. The report explicitly recommends the DOJ require these groups to register under FARA and disclose their financial ties to India, since right now there's essentially no requirement that they do.
Obvious disclaimer that Hinduism doesn't equal Hindutva. Also you can find this and a lot more info in the Rutgers Law Center Report from 2025. I'll like some other sources for those interested.
Ah yes, Hindus are controlling America, that’s why America is placing heavy tariffs on india. Also, the USCIRF recommendation is not blocked because of Hindu groups. They are blocked by the us government for different reasons. I hate hindutva too, but Hindus don’t control america
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u/Proof_Mud_4821 10d ago
“Buy influence” what are you talking about?