Our Bureau
New York, NY
The National Alliance of Indian Organizations (NAIO) convened its Founders and Leadership Meeting on January 31, 2026, at the Hyatt Centric, Wall Street, bringing together prominent Indian American leaders, professionals, and organization heads from across the United States, both in person and via virtual participation.
The meeting marked a significant milestone in NAIO’s mission to unite Americans of Indian Origin on a single national platform to strengthen collaboration, community empowerment, advocacy, and Indo–U.S. relations.
The meeting was formally opened by Naveen Shah, who welcomed attendees and highlighted the importance of unity, coordination, and collective leadership at a pivotal time for the Indian American community.
Following introductions led by Dr. Raj Bhayani, founding leader of NAIO, the organization’s vision and long-term direction were outlined. Dr. Bhayani emphasized three core objectives of NAIO: bringing all Americans of Indian Origin onto one national platform, leveraging unity to empower the community, and strengthening Indo–U.S. relations through organized collaboration and engagement.
Chintu Patel shared the background and evolution of NAIO, noting that the organization was formed in response to the growing need for coordination among Indian American organizations nationwide. He emphasized that the timing of NAIO’s inception aligns with the community’s increasing scale, influence, and responsibility.
Harry Singh Bolla further articulated NAIO’s mission and future direction, underscoring the importance of outcome-driven strategies, measurable goals, and accountable leadership to ensure long-term impact and credibility.
Senior leaders including Dr. Dipak Nandi, Dr. Navin Mehta, Danny Gaekwad, and Dr. Bharat Barai provided strategic inputs and recommendations to help shape NAIO’s governance framework, initiatives, and future programs.
A comprehensive presentation by Naveen Shah outlined NAIO’s mission, organizational structure, branding, and upcoming national initiatives. Major events announced include an India Independence Day Celebration on August 15, 2026, and a NAIO National Convention on July 4, 2027.
Membership discussions were also held during the meeting, with several founding members committing to full membership and others opting for structured installment plans, reflecting strong confidence in NAIO’s leadership and mission.
The meeting placed special emphasis on youth engagement and next-generation leadership. COHNA President Nikunj Trivedi, along with student leaders from Rutgers University, joined the discussion to address challenges faced by Indian students on U.S. campuses. Participants explored strategies to unite Indian students nationwide and discussed how NAIO can support student advocacy and leadership development.
NAIO leadership also announced plans for an upcoming Founders, Trustees, and Alliance Leadership Meeting, scheduled for March 8, 2026, at the Marriott in Uniondale, Long Island.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to unity, inclusivity, transparency, and building a strong, unified national voice for Americans of Indian Origin.
About NAIO
The National Alliance of Indian Organizations (NAIO) is a national umbrella organization dedicated to uniting Indian American organizations, professionals, youth, and community leaders on one platform to foster collaboration, empowerment, advocacy, and stronger Indo–U.S. relations.
