Bobby Jindal accused immigrant Muslim communities of making "states within states".
He could one day be the first Indian-American to take the keys to the White House. But Bobby Jindal, the Republican Governor of Louisiana, doesn't strike one as a champion for immigrant communities.
Jindal himself is the son of immigrants. His parents went to the US from India.
But in a speech made recently in London, Mr Jindal accused immigrant Muslim communities of making "states within states" and talked about "no-go" areas in the UK and other European countries.
"Some countries have allowed Muslims to establish autonomous neighbourhoods in cities where they govern by a harsh version of the Islamic law," he said. "Some immigrants are seeking to colonise western countries, because setting up your own enclave and demanding recognition of a no-go zone are exactly that".
The speech of Mr Jindal, who was educated in Oxford, was not well received in Britain.
Tens of thousands of Muslims, including many from India, some of whom migrated decades ago, call London home.
Similar comments by US author Steven Emerson on Birmingham, aired by a television channel, had recently sparked outrage, with Prime Minister David Cameron pronouncing him "a complete idiot".
"The greatest thing about Britain is that it is a melting pot. We have communities up and down the country that are reflective of the world we live in," said UK minister and diaspora champion Priti Patel. "Some communities integrate more than the other and we shouldn't get into the area of picking one community or the other."
British Parliamentarian Keith Vaz, who represents Leicester, said had Mr Jindal stayed longer, he would have given him a tour of his constituency to prove there was "no no-go area anywhere in Britain".
The Muslim community of Britain feels Mr Jindal's comments may create divisions.
"I think it is very insulting that you have a guest who comes to your country and then makes such comments," said Munaf Zeena, community leader at the North London Muslim centre. "I think people of the UK and the people of Europe are very much into their communities. They know the reality and I think it will not make much of a difference but creates divisions."