Jubilee Post News & Views
Jubilee News Desk
As Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will take the office India will be looking forward to new diplomatic, trade and international relations with the US. India’s relation with the US have evolved and grown irrespective of which party is in the office among the Democrats or Republicans.
With a Joe Biden-Kamala Harris win in the US Presidential elections, there could certainly be continuity in the Indo-US ties on various fronts.
As the Vice President during the Barack Obama administration, Joe Biden played a critical role in the US-South Asia strategy. But India will also be looking at how the new US government looks at Indian interest in respect to China and Pakistan, with which India is in tension at border.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the duo for their “spectacular” victory. “Congratulations @JoeBiden on your spectacular victory! As the VP, your contribution to strengthening Indo-US relations was critical and invaluable. I look forward to working closely together once again to take India-US relations to greater heights,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
In another tweet Modi congratulated US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and said, “Heartiest congratulations @KamalaHarris! Your success is pathbreaking, and a matter of immense pride not just for your chittis, but also for all Indian-Americans. I am confident that the vibrant India-US ties will get even stronger with your support and leadership.”
Experts say Biden administration will likely maintain the positive momentum in areas like defense and counterterrorism. Trade will continue to cause friction. The three strategic areas are skilled immigration, renewed cooperation on climate change, and greater friction over US commentary on India’s domestic social issues.
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The two sides will see continuum and further strengthening on various fronts, particularly on the Indo-Pacific front. An initiative that first took shape during the Obama administration as a vision document on ‘Asia Pacific’ to counter Chinese inroads in the region.
While Joe Biden might not be as aggressive as Donald Trump on the China front, the stand on Beijing has taken such a dimensional turn that overturning the policy would hardly be in Washington’s favour. Therefore, the US could continue to be tough on China.
Trade negotiations that were underway will have to be reworked and that could prolong the process. Trump administration had revoked GSP citing lack of reciprocal market access. Until it was removed, India enjoyed preferential treatment by means of zero or reduced tariffs on 2,167 products in labour-intensive sectors.
Initially there would be a lot of positive momentum, the friction areas between PM Narendra Modi and the Biden-Harris administration would be on the human rights front.
Kamala Harris and members of her five Indian-American Congressman who formed a group, including Congresswoman Pramila Jayapala, have been critical of India’s decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.
Meanwhile, Indian-American physician Dr Vivek Murthy is expected to co-chair the coronavirus task force which President-elect Joe Biden is going to announce on Monday. Murthy, 43, who originally hails from Karnataka, was appointed America’s 19th Surgeon General by then president Barack Obama in 2014.
