New York: Today, people in the United States are voting to help choose the 47th president of the country, and the world waits for the results. This exciting race involves only two major players; the former President of America, Donald Trump and the Vice President, Kamala Harris. This election is quite important for India given the key importance they place on the United States” directions particularly in economic and strategic realms.
For instance, the first woman of colour to hold the Vice Presidency in the US, Kamala Harris, has connexions with the Tamil Nadu in India, as her mother, Shyamala Gopalan was born there and belonged to an Indian-Jamaican descent. While Harris has visited India multiple times, neither she nor Kamala have promoted more Indian issues while serving as the Vice President of the United States. Critics imply that her meetings were with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not reflect the friendly relationship typical of Indo-U.S diplomacy. The previous administration under Biden that Harris was a part of has severally taken India to task over its internal polices, especially the rights of minorities and human rights abuses.
Opposing stance of Harris also includes certain insulting comments on Kashmir. In this light, Harris said that after the “abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the government of India headed by Narendra Modi had turned Kashmir into a ‘military oasis,’ Harris has assured the Kashmiris that they are not alone in the world and that the USA might interfere in case of necessity. Such statements have aroused anxiety among the Indian officials concerned with external intervention.
On the other hand, Harris has been a supporter of renewable energy which is one of the areas where India wants fast development and collaboration. Pundits think that Harris’s lead can help technological partnership with India in clean energy sectors, which stabilises the Indian markets. Besides, her administration may prefer a softer immigration policy, which will be a positive for Indian IT professionals Regarding the reforms, pertaining to the H-1B visa Programme move.
However, what remains a concern among many is Harris’s choice of running mate Governor Tim Walz who reportedly has a better approach towards China. Democratic win may lead to more friendly relations with China however, Harris who is pro-immigration will support Indians emigrating to the US to practise.
On the other hand, the present US President, Donald Trump seems to have a pleasant relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who he has publicly thanked for hospitality and called a ‘friend’. In his freshman year, Trump complimented Modi and achieved a friendly diplomatic rapport. In the event that he assumes office again, experts opine that the Indian IT firms may stand to gain from the Trump policies provided they deal with the prime target of the Trump policy being China, As the US may turn to India for products and services to reduce its dependence on China.
Trump has hinted at withdrawing the ‘most favoured nation’ status from China, which could turn out to be positives for India globally. Further, the absence of Trump’s interventionist foreign policy could translate to fewer comments on the Indian internal politics unlike the current Biden government occasional comments on Indian governance.
A fascinating additional approach to explaining India is Trump’s approach to the Russo-Ukrainian crisis. Trump has said he may quit the war, which could be beneficial to India, because of its enduring deal with Russia. Peace in the region means stability with a very important strategic partner and maintain a perfect balance in the foreign policy in Asia.
Among the expectations of finance gurus are that Trump might seek to raise interest rates in the United States and increase the worth of the US dollar and possibly lower global crude oil prices which would be favourable to India due to reduced import costs. On the other hand, if Harris wins the battle, there will be no change in the markets –interpreted as stability in interest rates and dollar.