Harris, who has roots in India on her mother’s side and in Jamaica on her father’s side, is the first woman of Indian and African descent to run for the post of vice president. Like most other key leaders of both the Democratic and Republican parties, she has batted for stronger India-US relations. During her unsuccessful campaign to become the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate last year, Harris had said that the US was watching the situation in Kashmir after the scrapping of the erstwhile state’s special status and that she would strive to lead while upholding the values the US is known for, including speaking out against “human rights abuses”. Asked about the possible role the US could play following last year’s lockdown in Kashmir and the human rights situation there, she replied: “It is about reminding people that they are not alone, that we are all watching.” Any experts suggest that it doesn’t matter that Kamala Harris is half-Indian.
The question some have is whether Harris would aim to exert as much power over foreign policy as previous vice presidents, such as Dick Cheney — or Biden himself. Most people I spoke to do not believe so. “I don’t see her as much of a foreign policy leader,” Justin Logan, a US foreign policy expert at the Catholic University of America.
- Harris on foreign policy
Harris is a critic of autocratic regimes, namely Russia and Saudi Arabia, and would certainly continue her rebukes. She remains a firm backer of Israel, to the chagrin of many progressive activists, and may reject calls to weaken America’s relationship with the country. In June 2019, Harris voted to block arms sales to Riyadh to punish Saudi Arabia for Khashoggi’s murder as well as for the war it leads in Yemen, which has seen thousands killed and millions displaced. Harris also voted to end US support for that war earlier the same year — a war Biden has also vowed to pull America out of.
“Democrats certainly have confidence in Harris’s abilities to give her more space on foreign policy issues,” said Zachary Hosford, who worked with the senator’s office on global issues as an adviser to Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA). “I certainly would have confidence in her abilities there.”
Harris believes America keeping its commitments to allies helps bolster the nation’s power. “Part of the strength of who we are as a nation — and therefore, an extension of our ability to be secure — is not only that we have a vibrant military, but that when we walk in any room around the globe, we are respected because we keep to our word, we are consistent, we speak truth, and we are loyal,” Harris said during a Democratic presidential debate in November 2019.
On the issues of south east Asia Harris has her own critical opinion. She is not much impressed with way the current administration has take the steps for the citizenship bill and the Kashmir issue. Harris has expressed more concern about Modi’s actions, which has led to a lengthy crackdown in Kashmir and nationwide street protests earlier in the year over the citizenship law.
“We have to remind Kashmiris that they are not alone in the world,” Harris said in September 2019 while on the campaign trail. “We are keeping track of the situation. There is a need to intervene if the situation demands.” A Biden campaign policy paper outlining his outreach toward Muslim Americans criticized India over Kashmir and the citizenship law, while in a statement released earlier this month he said he would stand by India in confronting the threats it faces along its borders.
The Trump administration has made India a key part of its “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” strategy and backed Modi’s government following deadly clashes between Chinese and Indian troops along their disputed Himalayan border in June. India is also a key part of the informal regional grouping to counter China known as the Quad, which also includes the U.S., Japan, and Australia.
Still, the closer ties between the U.S. and India are likely to persist in a Biden-Harris White House, said Amitabh Mattoo, a former member of India’s National Security Council Advisory Board.
A spokesman for the Biden-Harris campaign referred to Biden’s plan to place “a high priority on continuing to strengthen the U.S.-India relationship.” The campaign declined to comment further.
Harris has expressed more concern about Modi’s actions, which has led to a lengthy crackdown in Kashmir and nationwide street protests earlier in the year over the citizenship law.
“We have to remind Kashmiris that they are not alone in the world,” Harris said in September 2019 while on the campaign trail. “We are keeping track of the situation. There is a need to intervene if the situation demands.” A Biden campaign policy paper outlining his outreach toward Muslim Americans criticized India over Kashmir and the citizenship law, while in a statement released earlier this month he said he would stand by India in confronting the threats it faces along its borders.
- Strategic Relations
Despite those issues, Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party said the U.S. and India have “deep strategic relations” supported widely across party lines in both countries.
“As far as the BJP is concerned, we are naturally happy that someone with Indian ancestry is contesting the second topmost post in USA,” Vijay Chauthaiwale, chief of foreign affairs in the party who helped organize the ‘Namaste Trump’ event in Gujarat in February, said in a text message.
“While Harris’ Indian heritage will no doubt be a positive element in her approach to India, the more important bit is that the administration will not be as publicly harsh on trade and visas,” said Arun K Singh, a former Indian ambassador to the U.S.
Indians form about a fifth of 20 million Asian Americans and are often more educated and earn more than other immigrant groups, the Washington-based Pew Research Center found. About 65% of Indian Americans were Democrats or leaned toward the Democrats, according to a 2014 Pew Research paper It seems that Kamala Harris would have her own issues with the Modi government because of difference of opinion on various issues. What is important to the see if Harris gets elected will how she manages to make the Indian government to help them against china balance the personal ideological differences with the current government, because it is clear that that U.S.A needs India’s support in the south east Asian region keeping aside Pakistan U.S.A doesn’t have a substitute. It will be important to see what kamala Harris puts on the table for India.
Author:- Varun Raj Wahane
Bharti Vidyapeeth New Law College, Pune
