Just a few moments left... and America will have a new president. The battle is between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. It's an intense showdown between the two.
The US elections are happening at a time when conflicts are raging on multiple fronts around the globe. In the Middle East, the threat of a major conflict looms larger, while the war between Russia and Ukraine shows no sign of ending.
The presidential elections, held every four years, not only hold importance for the US but also have repercussions worldwide. The outcome will shape international relations, economic policies, and global stability.
Why Are the US Elections Important?
Whether Trump or Harris wins, the results are expected to have far-reaching effects. From the Gaza conflict to the Ukraine war, much could change.
If Trump wins, the dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict might shift. This is because Trump has always stood alongside Russian President Putin, stating multiple times that if elected, he would halt the millions of dollars in economic and military aid provided to Ukraine. In such a scenario, he might also lift the sanctions on Putin and Russia. Trump blames Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for Russia's attacks. Meanwhile, if Kamala Harris wins, Biden's policies are likely to continue.
Similarly, the ongoing conflict in Gaza could see different impacts. Kamala Harris supports Israel but also speaks against the killing of innocent Palestinians in Gaza. On the other hand, Trump has openly declared that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should act as he sees fit. However, Trump claims that he will bring peace to the Middle East if he becomes president again.
Recently, a survey in Israel showed that 66% of people considered Trump their first choice for the presidential election, whereas only 17% preferred Kamala Harris.
Source: aajtak
The Impact on NATO
The 31-country military alliance NATO receives two-thirds of its budget from the US. Trump has often threatened to withdraw from NATO. NATO's former secretary, Rose Gottemoeller, told the BBC that Donald Trump is like a nightmare for Europe.
Trump has frequently urged other countries to increase their NATO budgets. He stresses that every member state should contribute 2% of their GDP to NATO. Currently, only 23 out of the 31 countries do so. Trump claims that if he wins, he will pressure other countries to increase their spending.
Meanwhile, most European countries favor Kamala Harris's victory, as it would leave NATO unaffected and avoid causing instability. Harris has stated her intent to collaborate with NATO and the European Union to ensure Ukraine's victory.
Impact on India
In the 2020 presidential election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to congratulate Joe Biden on his victory.
Over the past years, India and the US have maintained stable relations. From India's perspective, a Trump victory would be more beneficial. This is because Biden's foreign policy has pushed Russia and China closer together, something India doesn't favor. With Trump, the US-Russia relationship might improve, thereby strengthening India's position on a global scale.
However, regardless of whether Trump or Kamala Harris wins, both will keep India as a crucial ally. This is because in the Indo-Pacific region, India is the one positioned to counter China. To reduce China's influence, the US needs India's cooperation.
If Kamala Harris wins, she might further fortify defense cooperation between India and the US. During the Biden administration, military exercises, arms purchases, and technology transfers have bolstered the US-India relationship. Nevertheless, even if Trump returns, similar relations are expected to continue between India and the US.
Nonetheless, Trump's administration might pose challenges for the Indians working in the US. Trump's stance on immigration has been tough, as evidenced by his previous restriction on H-1B visas. On the other hand, Kamala Harris advocates for skilled immigrants.
A victory for Kamala Harris could enhance India-US relations, while Trump's victory may bring challenges for Indians due to his nationalistic approach.
