India’s Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal addresses the US Indian Community Foundation gathering in Chicago during the October 2 weekend, ALL PHOTOS: Organizers & Facebook @PiyushGoyalOfficial
India’s Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, during an official visit to Chicago, hailed the Indian-American community as a powerful “living bridge” between India and the United States, recognizing its extraordinary contributions to American society. He encouraged the diaspora to play an even greater role in strengthening economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between the world’s two major democracies.
Addressing members of the Indian-American community at an event organized by the US Indian Community Foundation in Chicago, Goyal said, “Each one of you is the living bridge between the United States and India. Each one of you is an ambassador of India to the United States.”
Goyal emphasized that Indian-Americans should nevertheless remain fully committed to the United States—the country they have made their home, them to serve their adopted nation with honesty, loyalty, integrity and hard work, noting that America has provided generations of Indian immigrants with opportunities to build successful careers, businesses and families. All while preserving a special place for India in their hearts.
“We Are Watching Your Back”
In one of the strongest messages of reassurance during his Chicago address, Goyal told members of the diaspora that India would continue to stand with its people when they face emergencies or crises anywhere in the world.
“We back home are watching your back. We care for you and you will always have us as a support,” Goyal said. He cited India’s efforts during international crises, including those in Yemen and Ukraine, as examples of the government’s commitment to assisting Indians caught in difficult circumstances overseas.
He highlighted what he described as India’s transformation during the past decade and the rapidly expanding opportunities available to international investors, entrepreneurs and technology companies, he pointed to India’s enormous domestic market, its expanding network of international trade agreements and its emergence as an increasingly important global destination for advanced technology, manufacturing, innovation and data centers.
India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal visiting Gandhi Memorial in Skokie, Illinois. PHOTO: Asian Media USA
Goyal encouraged Indian-Americans and U.S. businesses to become active partners in India’s growth story by expanding investment, entrepreneurship and bilateral commerce.
During his Chicago engagements, Goyal also interacted with representatives of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the Asian American Store Owners Association (AASOA), recognizing their contributions to the American economy and local communities and encouraging greater collaboration to promote entrepreneurship and India-U.S. trade.
Goyal’s Chicagoland visit coincided with Gandhi Jayanti, October 2, and the Minister paid floral tributes at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Sculpture in Skokie, Illinois, honoring the life and enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. He reflected on Gandhi’s timeless principles of truth, non-violence, simplicity and human dignity, describing these values as deeply rooted in India’s civilizational heritage and continuing to inspire humanity across generations.
Union Minister of India for Commerce & Industry visited Fullerton Hall in Chicagoland October 2, 2026. PHOTO: PiyushGoyal.in
During his visit, Goyal also went to Fullerton Hall at the Art Institute of Chicago, the historic venue associated with Swami Vivekananda’s landmark address to the World’s Parliament of Religions in 1893, where he drew America’s attention to India’s spiritual traditions and the message of religious harmony, tolerance and universal brotherhood.
Goyal’s message to Chicago’s Indian-American community was both an acknowledgment and a call to action—serve America, remain connected to India, and help build an even stronger partnership between the two nations.
