Indian-Americans Watch as Bush Visits Their Native Land

BOSTON, March 1, 2006 — -- As President Bush embarks on his first official trip to India, all eyes are on the world's largest democracy on the other side of the globe. Many of those curious eyes belong to Americans who happen to be of Indian descent.

"I think the Bush trip is absolutely wonderful," said Indian-American Nishith Acharya. "I think it is important that every president visit India. I hope this trip moves forward a common U.S.-India agenda."

"President Bush's visit is very good thing," said Sushan Arora, 31. "It's coming late in the presidency and is indicative of how things are right now. India is on the radar map, but perhaps lower on the radar map."

Some Indian-Americans see Bush's trip to the subcontinent not only as a chance to advance often volatile U.S.-India relations, but as an opportunity to see how the president reacts to the intricacies of a deeply defined Eastern culture.

"I am curious to see how a famously Texan president like President Bush engages with the polyglot culture of India -- especially its food, music and religion," said U.S.-born Indian-American Prabal Chakrabarti.  "Does President Bush know about and like Bollywood [films]? Will he learn more than outmoded stereotypes? Will he have a good time?"

There are more than 2.2 million Asian Indians living in the United States. It is the fastest-growing Asian group, with current populations falling only behind Chinese- and Filipino-American populations.

The median household income for Indian-American families rings in at almost $69,000 per year -- about $20,000 more than the average American household income, according to the 2004 American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau. This statistic gives them the title of the wealthiest American minority.