The outcome of the close US presidential election is barely 48 hours away, and like elsewhere in the world, there is tremendous interest in whether the poll would bring back Donald Trump or will Kamala Harris create history by becoming the first woman head of the government. While it is for the American people to choose their next President, there has been an ongoing debate on who out of the two would be better for India. Kamala Harris’s mother was from Tamil Nadu but during her vice presidency, she chose not to come to this country even once.
On the other hand, Trump enjoys an excellent personal chemistry with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many believe that this would not only help in enhancing the friendship between the two Nations but also go a long way in influencing the turn of events globally. During the last election where Trump lost narrowly to Joe Biden, Modi had endorsed his candidacy by giving the slogan, “Ab ki Baar Trump Sarkar’’. This could turn out to be true if one goes by the latest opinion polls put out by the media in the past 24 hours. Kamala Harris is nevertheless keeping her chances alive and her aggressive campaign has brought her almost to the threshold of becoming the first woman President. Trump seems very focussed on his goal and is all set to ensure that this does not happen and he gets yet another stint in the White House.
The contrast between the two contenders is very sharp. Kamala Harris has the backing of many conservatives as well and the Washington regulars would want her to win. She has demonstrated her ability to stick with the script which has been the blue print of many Presidents in the past. Trump is an “outsider’’ in Washington even though he has occupied the august office once. He has his own method of thinking and his persona and speeches, represent America and Americans as they are. He is blunt and forthright. He does not stand behind the curtain of diplomacy and politically correct utterances like his opponent. For him America comes first and then the world and his approach to matters as was reflected in his first term is transactional. He weighs everything from the point of view of a business perspective.
If America gives so much amount to the NATO, what does it get in return. Trump’s re-election could help in ending the Ukraine conflict since he enjoys a very good rapport with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian leaders are having sleepless nights and one knows why. Even in West Asia, though Trump would stand by Israel, he would not allow the Jewish State to override his stand or opinion. This is not the case with Harris, who has a very cultivated narrative handed over to her by those who have been running Washington for years. Like most previous Presidents, she would be backed by the establishment which is not the case with Trump. If he wins, it shall be despite the establishment and only because of his own personal popularity, mostly amongst the Whites. He has his views on what America should be like and they are dissimilar to those of his opponent. He has a very strong personality and if he has enjoyed a close proximity with the Indian Prime Minister, it is because both share many common traits and are viewed as strong and determined leaders. Trump is also bad news for China, which would have to be very careful while dealing with him.
Harris has made a headway in many swing states but it is difficult to imagine that a woman and that too a coloured one, would be able to get past Trump in a country where gender has had many dimensions when it comes to both voting and in elections. For so many years, women did not have a vote in that country and in 2016 when Trump won for the first time, he vanquished Hillary Clinton, regarded as one of the most outstanding women nominees for the high office. American elections are complex and what is comforting for Indians is that either way, there can be a connection which can be established with the next President.
However, it would be a folly to believe that Harris or Trump would abandon their own country’s interests to help India. They would first look at what was good for them before laying down their foreign policy and how their relations with the rest of the world would be. The democrats are hopeful this time since they feel that the deprived sections would help them win. In many States, the Democrats have been successful in altering the demography but by and large, the White supremacists are with Trump. It is a fight that has evinced a lot of speculation and interest. Had the Democrats not replaced Biden, whose candidacy was initially endorsed by his party, it would have been a contest of Biden Vs Trump. By choosing Harris, the Democrats have tried to go against conventional wisdom and tactics and want that gender and colour besides a generational change would help them in forging ahead in these elections.
On top of that many Republicans have declined to endorse Trump and alternatively have put their weight behind Harris. This is unusual and the electorate has watched these developments from close quarters. The million-dollar question remains. The world would want to know whether on November 6, it will be “Ab ki Baar Trump Sarkar’’, an endorsement to the slogan given by the Indian Prime Minister last time.