New York, September 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna has left open the possibility of seeking the US presidency in 2028, saying the decision would involve his family while making clear that he intends to remain engaged in the debate over America’s future.
Khanna made the remarks during a conversation with former Australian Prime Minister and Asia Society Global President and CEO Kevin Rudd in New York. The discussion took place alongside Khanna’s remarks at the Asia Society during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
Asked by Rudd whether he was considering a presidential run, Khanna said around 20 Democrats were weighing the possibility, with perhaps 10 or 12 eventually entering the race.
“It’s a family decision,” he said. “Whether I decide to run or support someone who runs, I’m gonna be very involved in the conversation.”
Khanna said a national presidential campaign would be difficult, with many candidates in a crowded field ultimately losing. He framed the 2028 contest around competing visions for the United States, including whether the country would embrace its diversity or turn inward.
He argued that Democrats would need an economic programme capable of reaching communities that had lost industrial jobs and ensuring that voters saw a future for themselves and their children.
Khanna also linked economic insecurity to the immigration debate, saying politicians had blamed immigrants for factory closures and economic failures. He argued instead for bringing investment and employment opportunities to communities that had not benefited sufficiently from the new economy.
The California Congressman also spoke about his family’s Indian roots. He said his grandfather was jailed by the British during the 1930s and 1940s for participating in Mahatma Gandhi’s independence movement, a history that shaped his early understanding of politics.
Khanna was born in Philadelphia to Indian immigrant parents. As a student in Chicago, he campaigned for a state Senate candidate who later became President Barack Obama.
Much of his conversation with Rudd focused on the future direction of the United States, including economic opportunity, workers’ role in decisions involving artificial intelligence, US-China relations, immigration and American foreign policy. Khanna said he wanted to see greater economic opportunity across the country and a foreign policy capable of rebuilding international trust.
Khanna represents California’s 17th Congressional District, which includes parts of Silicon Valley. His remarks came as he has increasingly participated in discussions about the Democratic Party’s policy direction and the 2028 presidential race.
The next US presidential election is scheduled for November 2028.
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