The Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP-USA) held its three-day National Convention 2025 from June 13–15 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manassas, Virginia.
Approximately 170 delegates representing 22 chapters from across the United States participated in the convention. During the event, three additional chapters were launched, bringing the total to 25. The convention featured sessions focused on advocacy, community outreach, social media engagement, countering media narratives, chapter presentations, and open forums for delegates.
“The Convention was organized after a gap of eight years. It provided an opportunity to interact with volunteers in person, in addition to deliberate and brainstorm on fostering US-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Indian diaspora causes,” President of OFBJP-USA, Adapa Prasad told South Asian Herald.
The inaugural session on June 14 began with a moment of silence to honor the victims of the recent Air India accident and the Pahalgam terror attack, followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp. A special video message from BJP President JP Nadda was played for attendees. Senior BJP leaders from New Delhi, India, including Vijay Chauthaiwale, Head of the BJP Foreign Affairs Department, and members Ashwin Johar and Nakul Bhardwaj, were present and addressed the gathering.
Chauthaiwale told South Asian Herald, “OFBJP-USA is a community organization of supporters and well-wishers of BJP. We are a strong proponent of robust bilateral relations between India and US at all levels. And these volunteers will do whatever is required to dispel the doubts about India and foster strong relationship between the two countries.”
He said the national convention was aimed at outlining future strategies to promote a positive image of India, BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and to further strengthen US-India relations.
He emphasized the influential role of the Indian diaspora, stating, “They are very prosperous, well-educated, and well respected among the American communities. Therefore, we consider the diaspora as our big asset. Prime Minister Modi actually calls Indian diaspora as India’s informal Ambassadors. We want to foster better relations between India and US by leveraging the strength of the diaspora.”
