From India to Seattle: A Cultural Confluence of Tradition and Innovation

A Growing Indian Diaspora Enriching Greater Seattle

Greater Seattle is a vibrant and diverse region, enriched by the significant presence and contributions of the international community. With a 47% increase in the immigrant population in Seattle between 2000-2020, the Indian diaspora has found a particularly strong presence in the region, contributing to its cultural richness, economic vitality, and social fabric. Asian Indians first came to the Pacific Northwest around 1899 and have helped shape the cultural and technical landscape ever since. Today, approximately 131,000 Indians live in the region and around 94,000 were born in India. Communities such as Bothell East, Mill Creek East and Redmond boast more than 20% Indian populations.

Greater Seattle’s Indian population has grown greatly alongside Seattle’s tech boom; notably in the 1940s, Boeing began recruiting from India. Arriving largely as tech workers, the Indian population has doubled in the last decade. Indians now make up the second largest foreign-born population in Washington, while Greater Seattle is home to the sixth largest Indian population in the U.S.  

The increase in the Indian population has coincided with cultural and diplomatic expansion in the region as well:

• Seattle’s first Indian consulate opened in November 2023, along with its first Indian Visa Application Center that opened in July 2024 (along with another in Bellevue).
• Bill Gates hosted Seattle’s First India Day in the region last August, where he praised India’s contributions to global innovation, technology, agriculture, and healthcare.
• Seattle University houses the RoundGlass India Center, established in 2023, it aims to advance social, economic, and policy change in the U.S. and India by committing to cross-regional collaboration and multidisciplinary research relating to India and the Indian American community.

Greater Seattle is also connected to India through aerospace with one-stop flights from Seattle to 16 major Indian cities. Air India has placed an order for 220 Boeing aircraft and Boeing is planning a 737-freighter conversion facility in India in partnership with GMR Aero Technic in Hyderabad, India. This connectivity serves to further strengthen cultural exchange and the bond between the two regions.

Economic and Foreign Direct Investment Between Greater Seattle and India

Celebrating Indian Culture and Heritage

You know the Seahawks, Mariners, Reign, Sounders and Kraken, but have you heard of the Orcas? Cricket, the national sport of India, has taken a foothold in the region with the Seattle Orcas—our first Cricket team. Seattle is one of six U.S. cities taking part in the Major League Cricket inaugural season. The team’s home ground is set to be Marymoor Park in Redmond; once complete in 2025, it will accommodate 6,000 people. The cricket talent pipeline is also strong. The Seattle Thunderbolts, the minor league affiliate of the Orcas and one of 26 Minor League Cricket teams, was established in 2021 and were 2022 champions. Many cricket academies and teams have been created for young athletes as well, reflecting the community’s passion for sport.

The cultural footprint of the Indian community is prominent in region as well. Seattle Center’s Festál cultural festival series celebrates festivals and events from cultures all around the world. Diwali: Lights of India will be celebrated at Seattle Center on November 2nd this year. Traditionally, Diwali lasts around five days and symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The term, deriving from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, means “rows of lighted lamps.”

Performing arts centers celebrate Indian and South Asian dance throughout the region. The Urvasi Dance Company based in Seattle and Olympia is renowned for its dedication to the classical Indian dance form Odissi. Pratidhwani, a Kirkland non-profit, has the goal of helping fellow immigrants from South Asia by providing a supportive platform to practice their arts. Tasveer, a Seattle-based South Asian social justice arts non-profit aims to inspire social change through thought-provoking South Asian films, art, and storytelling. Its inaugural film festival and market will be from October 15-20, 2024.

Indian heritage has expertly woven itself into the tapestry of Greater Seattle’s multicultural identity. As the community continues to thrive, it further enriches the social fabric of Greater Seattle along with all cultures in the region. This global culture reflects our global economy and our willingness to embrace the future, innovation and uncommon thinkers from all over the world.

Written by Victoria DePalma, Ph.D.