WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Some 700 Indian American, Asian American and Pacific Islanders gathered in the grand ballroom of Washington D.C.’s Mayflower Hotel last Thursday evening, there they threw an inauguration ball to celebrate Donald Trump’s swearing-in as the 45th President of the United States.
The crowd, as expected, was heavily Republican, and included roughly 100 Indian-American attendees, according to a report from The American Bazaar.
Dozens of dignitaries additionally attended the event, including Rep. Ed Royce, Rep. Barbara Comstock, Guam Gov. Eddie Baza Calvo and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Ralph DLG Torres. The ambassadors to the U.S. from India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, South Korea and Singapore, as well as several Republican leaders, also attended the event.
“The [Trump] administration is looking to increase its relationship with the Asian countries,” Royce said. “We should reach out to our friends in Asia. We will work to further and deepen this relationship.”
Royce, a Republican from California, is the chair of the House Foreign Relations Committee, and is regarded as one of the loudest pro-India voices in Congress.
“This is a great celebration of Asian success,” Indian ambassador to the U.S. Navtej Sarna said during his remarks at the event. “I am very happy that Indian-Americans are part of the successful large Asian community.”
Puneet Ahluwalia, one of the event’s organizers, said the evening was a success. “We were able to create a platform for the AAPI [Asian American and Pacific Islanders] community to come together and celebrate the Trump election. The gala also made a strong statement that we are very much part of the American mainstream and will play an effective role in the next administration,” Ahluwalia said.
The evening’s happenings were opened by a rendition of the U.S. national anthem from Ammad Ahluwalia. Guests were treated to performances from Bollywood dancers, as well as tastes of the country’s cuisine.
