2020 US ELECTIONS: IMPACT ON INDIA AND INDIANS
The 59th quadrennial U.S. presidential election is approaching its conclusion on 3rd November 2020. The U.S. elections have always been the center of attention for all the countries around the globe but with the twist and turns in the events of this year’s election like the murder of George Floyd and the inefficiency of the current American government in managing the pandemic the results seem to shift from imprudent President Trump to democrat Biden.
But what is there for India in all this?
America’s relation with India is factorial in foreign trade and ties of the nation. This year’s election campaigns are specifically targeted to the naturalized citizens i.e. foreign-born immigrants turned Americans, as they make up to 23.2 million voters or a record-breaking 10% of the total electoral; both Democrat and Republican candidates are focusing country-specific this time rather than considering under same south-eastern umbrella.
Trump is considered to be popular among the Indian masses abroad due to the display of supposedly cordial relations between Trump and Modi. His Open Indo-Pacific Strategy has given India a bilateral defense against China and not criticizing the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir and the introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) with his Anti-Islamic comments and ‘Hindu specific’ remarks have made conservative and old Indians turn in his favor. But, Trump repeating his tenure in the White House might not turn to be as hunky-dory for India and its citizens as it is made to appear. Trump’s erratic and eccentric policies have so far failed to put a check on China’s expansionism and his withdrawal from funding WHO and unilateral withdrawal from nuclear agreement and renewal of U.S. sanctions in Iran has risked India’s position in UN and energy security respectively, making the prices of fuel to go higher for the common man. The Countering American Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) has affected India’s major defense agreement with Russia risking the increase in already higher budget allotment to defense leading to increase unemployment.
Meanwhile, Biden referring to the Indian government’s actions against minorities through CAA and abrogation of 370 in Kashmir quote ‘disappointed’ and describing it ‘weakened democracy’ appalled Indians. But the traditional liberal views might result in the US developing a focused based international strategy curbing China, cooperating with Iran and Russia, lenient H1B visas, and opportunities for students abroad but would also mean involvement in various internal affairs.
However congressional elections would and should be a matter of equal importance as Congress always plays the role of mediator for India.
Contributed by Kunwar Akanksha content writer at Mitti Ke Rang
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