New York’s mayor-elect Zohran Kwame Mamdani, 34, marked his busy first day after his historic election win by having lunch with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Mamdani, who is of Indian origin, shared a glimpse of his schedule on X, noting that the day was full of interviews and meetings.

Mamdani posted pictures of the lunch at Laliguras Bistro, an Indian and Nepalese restaurant located in Jackson Heights, Queens.

He wrote: "A busy first day as your Mayor-elect: early morning interviews, transition announcements and meetings. More to say on all of it tomorrow. But a highlight was lunch with my Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at Laliguras Bistro in Jackson Heights.”

In the photos, Ocasio-Cortez can be seen enjoying tea along with momos, aloo-dam, paneer tikka and bao, reflecting Mamdani’s South Asian roots.

Ocasio-Cortez was one of the key Democrats who endorsed Mamdani during his mayoral campaign.

Mamdani’s election marks several firsts. He is the first Muslim and the first South Asian to become mayor of America’s largest city. At 34, he is also the youngest mayor New York has seen in a century.

His campaign focused on affordability, addressing wealth inequality, and ensuring that New York remains a city accessible to working people.

In his victory speech, Mamdani quoted from Jawaharlal Nehru’s famous “Tryst with Destiny” speech. When he walked off the stage, the song playing was not a traditional New York anthem, but music from the Bollywood film “Dhoom.”

He told supporters:
“I am young, despite my best efforts to grow older, I am Muslim, I am a democratic socialist and — most damning of all, I refuse to apologise for any of this.”

South Asians are among the fastest-growing communities in the United States, with more than five million people. The community has seen growing political representation, including leaders like Vice President Kamala Harris.

But while some politicians have downplayed their South Asian identity, Mamdani embraces his fully.

Mamdani was born in Uganda to filmmaker Mira Nair and scholar Mahmood Mamdani, both originally from India. He has spoken publicly about experiences of Islamophobia after the 9/11 attacks and often highlights his ties to diverse communities in Queens.

Just days before the election, he campaigned among taxi drivers at LaGuardia Airport, many of whom are South Asian.