How Does India View The Candidacy Of Kamala Harris?
Overview
The new Presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, Vice President Kamala Harris, is set to face off against the former President and the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, on 5th November this year. This comes after current US President Joe Biden decided to step down as Presidential nominee on 21st July amidst repeated global embarrassments, growing public dissent and party pressures. Harris, 59, began her presidential journey in 2020, which will continue in 2024.
About Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris scripted history by becoming the first black woman of South Asian descent to be elected as the VP. She is now on her way to script another by becoming the first woman President of the United States if elected to power. Her rise to power and repeated mention of her Indian ancestry created amusement among Indians. They were celebrated enthusiastically with the anticipation of a far more India-centric approach to the relations between the two countries. Contrary to the above speculation, Harris has a more domestic approach that includes reproductive rights, border issues and concerns regarding the American diaspora abroad. Her opposing stance on the Kashmir issue and her negligence towards the upliftment of the increasing Indian diaspora (1.2%) is something not to be ignored.
India-US Relations
The White House has always been at the forefront of bolstering the India-US relationship to keep the Russia-China bloc in control and maintain healthy trade relations with the sub-continent. According to Harsh Pant of the Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi think tank, “there would be a degree of continuity if Harris is elected to power. India has had a productive relationship with Mr. Biden and Kamala Harris was a part of the administration”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had cordial relations with the Trump administration, which saw grand events such as ‘Howdy Modi’ and ‘Namaste Trump’ during his term. The election of either candidate would have to focus on increasing the relationship trajectory amidst American allegations that India has orchestrated the Sikh murders in Canada, India’s increased closeness with Vladimir Putin against the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and issues of data privacy, climate change, minority rights, visa concerns, etc.
Conclusion
India has a history of producing global techies, world leaders, and international personalities across democracies, and Kamala Harris is one of them. With growing excitement among Indians and their probable support for her, New Delhi watches the political development closely, with only 105 days left for the day the oldest democracy elects its 47th President.
