The Hyphen: Indian American Dialogues

Roundglass India Center at Seattle University
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The Hyphen is a new video podcast from the Roundglass India Center that builds on the storytelling foundation of our award-winning Desi Roots & Routes and turns toward the most pressing questions facing Indian Americans today. The series explores current events, U.S.–India relations, and the transnational issues shaping civic life and public debate, bringing leading thinkers into conversation about one of America’s most dynamic diasporas.

Episodes

  1. May 11

    Indian immigration trends in the United States

    The Indian American story is most often told through the lens of skilled immigration and professional success, but a new report by Professor Devesh Kapur and Abby Budiman reveals a side of that story that rarely gets told. In this episode, host Sital Kalantry speaks with Professor Kapur about the surge in unauthorized Indian immigration over the past several years, the striking data discrepancies between government and independent estimates of the unauthorized Indian population, and what it means that most asylum seekers are coming from Punjab and Gujarat rather than from the communities in India that face genuine persecution. They also discuss the future of both legal and undocumented immigration from India as H-1B fees rise, the immigration courts are dismantled, and the question of reverse brain drain moves from speculation to reality. Special thanks to our media partner India Abroad. Produced by Ashini Jagtiani and Shannon Young Production Partner: Social Sherpa.

  2. Mar 20

    The Iran war and India's balancing act: in conversation with Ambassador Mohan Kumar

    On February 28, the United States and Israel attacked Iran, and India found itself in a difficult spot. Nearly half of India's crude oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Ten million Indians live and work across Gulf countries. And India's relationships with the US, Iran, and the Gulf states don't point in the same direction. In this episode, host Sital Kalantry speaks with Ambassador (Dr.) Mohan Kumar about whether India's doctrine of strategic autonomy holds up under this kind of pressure, what the disruption of energy supply routes means for an economy that imports 90% of its oil, and what is at stake for the millions of Indian workers in the Gulf. Special thanks to our media partner India Abroad. Produced by Ashini Jagtiani and Shannon Young Production Partner: Social Sherpa.

  3. Mar 18

    Decoding the diaspora: Milan vaishnav on what new data reveals about Indian Americans

    What do Indian Americans actually think about identity, discrimination, and life in the United States? In the fourth episode of The Hyphen: Indian American Dialogues, host Sital Kalantry is joined by Milan Vaishnav of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to decode the third wave of the Indian American Attitudes Survey. Together they explore the key findings from the research, including why reported discrimination rates remain persistently high, how some community members are quietly changing their behavior in response, and why U.S.-India relations rank lower on the priority list than many might expect. Milan also reflects on what three waves of survey data reveal about a community that continues to grow and evolve in ways that resist easy generalization. It is a rich, data-driven conversation for anyone who wants to understand Indian America on its own terms. Special thanks to our media partner India Abroad. Produced by Ashini Jagtiani and Shannon Young Production Partner: Social Sherpa.

  4. Feb 24

    The US-India Trade Deal: A Boeing Perspective

    In this episode of The Hyphen, we examine one of the most consequential developments in U.S.-India relations in recent times: The interim US-India trade deal. Host Sital Kalantry sits down with Salil Gupte, President of Boeing India and South Asia, to unpack the complex trade negotiations between the two nations. With nearly 7,000 employees under his leadership and experience spanning global supply chains, manufacturing, and aviation finance, Salil offers unique insights at the intersection of trade, industry, and geopolitics. This conversation explores the terms of the interim agreement, including the framework for negotiations, reciprocal tariffs, and India's commitment to purchase over $500 billion in U.S. products over five years. We examine critical issues including tariff reductions on industrial goods and agricultural products, non-tariff barriers, digital trade rules, and supply chain resilience. The discussion also addresses contentious matters such as Russian oil purchases, the U.S.-India trade deficit, and what this framework means for major U.S. companies operating in India. Salil Gupte serves as Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry's National Committee on Aerospace and sits on the boards of the U.S.-India Business Council and the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council, providing a comprehensive perspective on how this trade framework will shape bilateral economic ties. Subscribe to The Hyphen for more analysis on U.S.-India relations, policy, and the forces shaping both nations. The Hyphen is produced by Ashini Jagtiani and Shannon Young from the Roundglass India Center at Seattle University, our media partner India Abroad and production partner Social Sherpa.

  5. Feb 9

    Anti-Indian Hate: Why is it happening and why now?

    The data is alarming – incidents of violence, online abuse, and vandalism targeting Indian Americans have increased significantly in recent years. Temples and gurdwaras vandalized. Indians framed as "dirty and smelly" online. Some have even been murdered. But why is this happening now? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Manjusha Kulkarni, a civil rights attorney and co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, to unpack the disturbing rise in anti-Indian discrimination and what we can do to stop it. About our guest: Manjusha Kulkarni is the Executive Director of the AAPI Equity Alliance, leading statewide efforts in California to advance equity for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. She has been recognized as one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People and featured on the Bloomberg 50 list. In this episode, we explore: The shocking data on hate incidents against Indian Americans How national anti-immigrant rhetoric fuels discrimination Why this moment is different from past episodes of hate (dotbusters, post-9/11) The impact of the "model minority" myth and high-profile success stories Concrete steps to create lasting change in our communities This is a crucial conversation for anyone who cares about justice, equity, and building safer communities for all. MEDIA PARTNER: New India Abroad PRODUCERS: Ashini Jagtiani, Shannon Young PRODUCTION PARTNER: Social Sherpa What are your thoughts on combating anti-Indian hate?

  6. Jan 29

    Should Indian Americans Lobby the U.S. Government on Behalf of India?

    Should Indian Americans lobby the U.S. government on behalf of India? This episode tackles one of the most contentious debates in the diaspora, sparked by MP Shashi Tharoor's call for Indian Americans to advocate more forcefully for India, and the swift pushback that followed. Host Sital Kalantry sits down with Kapil Sharma, a veteran of U.S.-India relations and government affairs, to unpack the issue. They explore: ✅ The history of Indian American advocacy on the U.S.-India nuclear deal ✅ Why the diaspora is too diverse, religiously, politically, and generationally, for a single unified lobby ✅ How immigration status shapes willingness to engage in foreign policy advocacy ✅ What a truly inclusive, government-neutral Indian American political voice could look like ✅ Why domestic policy alignment must come first This is a conversation about identity, loyalty, political power, and what it means to be part of one of America's most dynamic and divided diasporas. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: Do you agree with Shashi Tharoor's call for Indian Americans to lobby for India? What domestic issues do you think could unite the Indian American community across party and religious lines? Have you ever felt torn between your American identity and advocating for India? Drop your thoughts in the comments below ⬇️ 👉 Subscribe and hit the bell 🔔 to join the conversation on every episode 📧 Share this episode with someone navigating their own hyphenated identity 📻 About The Hyphen: Brought to you by the Roundglass India Center at Seattle University, The Hyphen explores U.S.-India relations, current events, and the transnational issues shaping Indian American civic life. Produced by: Ashini Jagtiani-Williams & Shannon Young, Roundglass India Center Production Partner: Social Sherpa

  • 6 Episodes

About

The Hyphen is a new video podcast from the Roundglass India Center that builds on the storytelling foundation of our award-winning Desi Roots & Routes and turns toward the most pressing questions facing Indian Americans today. The series explores current events, U.S.–India relations, and the transnational issues shaping civic life and public debate, bringing leading thinkers into conversation about one of America’s most dynamic diasporas.

Information

  • Creator
    Roundglass India Center at Seattle University
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Roundglass India Center at Seattle University
  • Show Website
    The Hyphen: Indian American Dialogues