RAKESH MALHOTRA,
founder of The Global In
dian Diaspora Foundation
(GIDF), has called on Indi
an Americans to move be
yond symbolic gestures
and play a more active
role in strengthening the
India-US relationship.
Writing on X, Malhotra
cautioned that short-term
political interests and mis
information could weaken
the partnership between
the two nations.
He said the Indian dias
pora, with roots in both
countries, has a responsi
bility to participate mean
ingfully in civic life and
help shape discussions
that impact the future of
India-US ties.
Malhotra said there is
no contradiction between
supporting the United
States and taking pride in
India’s progress. “Our
commitment to America
First is not in conflict with
our pride in India’s prog
ress—it strengthens our
credibility and relevance
as a bridge between two
dynamic democracies,” he
wrote. “It is our duty to
speak out whenever short-
term politics or misinfor
mation threatens to weak
en the longstanding rela
tionship between these
two nations.”
Malhotra encouraged
Indian Americans to get
involved in local govern
ment and policy decisions.
“Moving beyond symbol
ism and becoming in
volved in local govern
ment, county, village, and
city-level decisions is es
sential. It’s not just about
making our voices heard,
but ensuring that our per
spectives are reflected in
policies that shape our
shared future,” he said.
He added, “We must
become more than just
passive observers—we
must actively contribute to
shaping the direction of
the countries we call
home.” According to him,
such engagement would
help keep the India-US
partnership “strong, resil
ient, and capable of navi
gating the challenges of
the 21st century.”
Malhotra’s remarks
come as Indian Americans
continue to balance their
dual identities. The com
munity’s evolving role
now involves maintaining
cultural roots while up
holding American values.
Suhag Shukla, co-found
er of the Hindu American
Foundation, said, “Indian
Americans are not mouth
pieces for any Indian gov
ernment or political party.”
She said Indian Americans,
as US citizens, must priori
tize national interests
while offering a balanced
view of India. “Just as In
dia’s citizens prioritize
their country’s national in
terests, American citizens,
including Indian Ameri
cans, have a duty to pursue
their own,” Shukla said.
Indian diaspora urged to act beyond symbolism
Papa John’s debuts
with Bengaluru outlets
PIZZA CHAIN BRINGS SIGNATURE RECIPES AND LOCAL FLAVOURS TO INDIA
Business
www.indiaweekly.biz • October 2025
13
INDIAN exporters
are struggling
with steep US
tariffs imposed
earlier this year,
even as the gov
ernment contin
ues to deliberate
over relief meas
ures without fi
nalizing any
support plan.
Businesses have
appealed re
peatedly for
help, but officials
say the focus re
mains on long-
term structural
reforms rather
than immedi
ate assistance.
The finance
and commerce
ministries have
held meetings
with exporters
from affected
sectors to assess
losses and ex
plore temporary
relief similar to
the Covid-19 re
sponse. However,
fiscal caution
and internal dif
ferences have
delayed action.
“The government
did provide free
foodgrains dur
ing Covid, but the
larger focus then
too was on re
forms for the
long-term — cre
ating an Aat
maNirbhar
Bharat. Now also,
there have been
discussions on
what reforms
can be pursued
given the cir
cumstances, with
an eye on the
medium to long
term,” a senior
official said.
The tariffs im
posed under the
International
Emergency Eco
nomic Powers
Act during Don
ald Trump’s
presidency have
sharply affected
Indian trade. Of
the $87 billion
worth of goods
exported to the
US in 2024-25,
nearly 55 percent
are now impact
ed. The situation
worsened in Au
gust when an
additional 25
percent “Russian
penalty” tariff
was introduced
due to India’s
oil imports
from Moscow.
The Com
merce Ministry
has proposed
allowing Spe
cial Economic
Zone (SEZ) units
to sell in the
domestic mar
ket and conduct
reverse job work,
but the Finance
Ministry re
mains cautious.
US tariffs squeeze
Indian exporters
PAPA John’s has launched its first restau
rants in India, opening four outlets in Ben
galuru as part of its partnership with master
franchisee PJP Foods India Private Limited,
a joint venture between PJP Investments
Group and Ambrosia QSR. The stores are lo
cated in Indiranagar, Hennur, Electronic
City, and Sarjapur Road, marking the brand’s
entry into the Indian market with plans for
nationwide expansion.
The brand’s entry brings its global promise of
“Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.” to Indian con
sumers. A central Quality Control Center (QCC) in
Hennur will support all Bengaluru restaurants, pre
paring Papa Johns’ signature fresh dough daily to
maintain quality and consistency across outlets.
To mark the launch, Papa Johns collaborated
with actor, influencer, and content creator Danish
Sait, who appears in a promotional video introduc
ing the brand to Indian audiences.
“This is a proud moment for us as we deliver the
Papa Johns experience to Indian customers. Our
pizzas are crafted with fresh, never-frozen dough,
premium toppings, and a focus on consistent qual
ity. We are confident that this approach, combined
with an experience centered on customer satisfac
tion, will create strong appeal in India. Bengaluru is
a fitting city to begin this journey, and we look for
ward to expanding rapidly across the country,” said
Tapan Vaidya, Group CEO, PJP Investments Group.
“India is one of the most dynamic foodservice
markets in the world, and we are delighted to open
our first store in Bengaluru,” said Ravi Thanawala,
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
at Papa John’s.
“Opening both our first restaurant and a Quality
Control Center represents a strong foundation for
long-term growth and ensures we continue to de
liver the highest standards of quality and service
that define our brand.”
“We are excited with our partnership with PJP to
bring Papa Johns to this thriving market and pre
sent specially crafted pizzas to appeal to diverse
Indian palate,” said Vish Narain, Managing Partner,
Pulsar Capital and Chairman, Ambrosia QSR. “Our
endeavor would be to provide excellent quality piz
zas at affordable prices.”
Papa Johns’ India menu blends the brand’s inter
national favorites with local innovations. Every
pizza is prepared using fresh dough made from six
ingredients, tomato sauce made with a mix of Naati
and Californian tomatoes, and real mozzarella
cheese. The Bengaluru menu also includes a city-
exclusive Ghee Roast Pizza, available in both chick
en and paneer variants. Inspired by the traditional
South Indian dish, the pizza combines slow-roasted
spices with ghee.
Alongside this local addition, Papa John’s is of
fering its global bestsellers paired with its signature
Special Garlic Sauce, a popular item in its interna
tional outlets. Customers can choose from a range
of vegetarian and chicken options across dine-in
and takeaway formats, with delivery services to fol
low soon.
The launch marks a significant step in Papa
Johns’ international growth strategy. The company
aims to bring its signature pizza experience to In
dian consumers while maintaining its emphasis on
fresh ingredients and quality control.
Papa Johns was founded in 1984 in the United
States and is now the world’s third-largest pizza
delivery company, with around 6,000 restaurants in
about 50 countries and territories. The brand con
tinues to expand globally while staying focused on
its original goal: “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.”
FRESH SLICE: Executives and
partners inaugurate Papa John’s
first Indian outlet in Bengaluru
TRADE STRAIN: The tariffs
imposed under the
International Emergency
Economic Powers Act
during have sharply
affected Indian trade
© iStock
CIVIC CALL: Rakesh Malhotra
said there is no contradiction
between supporting the
United States and taking
pride in India’s progress