What Kamala Harris' win in US presidenetial election means for India?

Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate and US Vice President, is in the presidential race against former US president and Republican candidate Donald Trump.

The electorates will decide today who would be the 47th President of the United States – the world's largest economy.

Kamala Harris is the first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent to be contesting US presidential polls. The 60-year-old candidate has South Asian roots which trace back to her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, who came from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. 

What Kamala Harris' win means for India?

A Kamala Harris win could strengthen bilateral ties between India and the US, thanks to her Indian heritage and favorable foreign policy priorities. This could lead to increased cooperation in areas like defense, trade, and strategy.

On the other hand, a Donald Trump victory might mean a shift towards protectionism, potentially affecting India's exports to the US, particularly in sectors like IT and pharmaceuticals.

India-US relations have been marked by different levels of cooperation during the outgoing Joe Biden administration, more so in strategy, defense, trade, health, and climate change.

The US has reemphasized a robust strategic partnership with India, considering China's increased assertiveness in the region.

A Trump presidency may lead to both opportunities and challenges for India, especially regarding tariffs and trade policies.

Trump's "America First" policy could impact trade and tariff agreements between the two countries, though analysts suggest some focus could be on strengthening ties. His immigration stance could also affect the Indian workforce, particularly H-1B visa policies.