Kindred Nations: The United States and India, 1783-1949

Kindred Nations: The United States and India, 1783-1949, curated by Meridian International Center in Washington, D.C., with support from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, presents historical images that recall tales of remarkable people – some well known, others awaiting rediscovery. These stories convey the range of Indo-U.S. interactions across many domains. Though the photographs and documents capture individual experiences, each narrative offers insight into cross-fertilizations between the United States and India that helped shape both countries. Kindred Nations represents yet another significant step in fostering bilateral relations between the U.S. and India.

Covering such themes as early trade, education, philosophy and religion, entertainment and the arts, and our countries’ shared vision for freedom, Kindred Nations includes nearly 80 images, documents, and ephemera from institutions, archives, and private collections around the United States. The exhibition was on display in public venues throughout India, including all consular cities, during a multi-year tour.

In 2015, Kindred Nations traveled to seven venues in five cities in India - New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Kolkata. The tour was inaugurated by U.S. Ambassador to India Richard Verma, and dedicated by the U.S. Consul Generals in each city. Meridian's Lindsay Amini also presented a lecture on the project in Kolkata. During its nine-month tour in 2015, over 50,000 people, including students, viewed Kindred Nations.

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