Donald Trump’s defiant act of pumping his fist within the air, moments after his brush with loss of life, might probably sink President Joe Biden’s possibilities of victory within the November election. Democrats could disagree, nevertheless it has actually relegated Biden’s age issues to the background. A minimum of for now. The 81-year-old President’s psychological and bodily health problem is sure to resurface within the coming days and weeks, main as much as the Democratic Get together Conference on August 19-22 in Chicago, when the occasion candidate will formally be introduced.
If Biden, who has remained defiant thus far, decides to withdraw from the race, a outstanding various being thought of is Vice-President Kamala Harris.
Harris and Her Indian Heritage
Harris, half Indian by heritage, has a familial connection to Thulasendrapuram in Tamil Nadu. Her household from her mom’s aspect come from there. Her appointment in 2020 was celebrated with fireworks and prayers in India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling it a “historic event” and expressing his eagerness to work together with her to strengthen India-US relations.
Regardless of the preliminary pleasure, it’s clear that the strengthening of India-US relations beneath Biden’s administration has been pushed by the President’s initiatives relatively than Harris’s Indian heritage. Whereas Harris usually speaks about her Indian roots, her insurance policies and actions are primarily formed by the strategic pursuits of the US, not India.
The Political Technique of Indian-Origin Politicians
A number of Indian-origin politicians within the US, akin to Nikki Haley and Bobby Jindal, are likely to downplay their Indian heritage to attraction to broader voter bases, which may be seen as a political technique.
Within the UK, Indian-origin politicians like Priti Patel and Suella Braverman, regardless of their immigrant backgrounds, have adopted strict anti-immigrant stances, aligning with conservative values to safe help inside their events.
Rishi Sunak’s appointment because the UK Prime Minister in 2022 sparked vital pleasure amongst Indians. I met jubilant members of the Indian neighborhood in Southampton, Sunak’s hometown, who felt immense satisfaction. Nevertheless, their enthusiasm later dampened as they realised that Sunak’s insurance policies have been pushed by the priorities of the UK, not his Indian heritage. He turned out to be simply one other politician who was co-opted by the institution, they felt.
Symbolism vs. Substance
The celebrations over Indian-origin politicians attaining excessive workplace in Western international locations usually overlook the fact that these leaders primarily serve the pursuits of their respective international locations. As an example, Sunak’s insurance policies have been guided by nationwide pursuits relatively than ethnic connections, as evidenced by the stalled Free Commerce Settlement (FTA) talks between the UK and India.
Comparable instances embrace Antonio Costa and Leo Varadkar, former Prime Ministers of Portugal and Eire, respectively, whose political actions didn’t essentially favour India. Costa, with Goan roots, and Varadkar, with Maharashtrian heritage, targeted on their international locations’ priorities, not their ancestral ties.
For the Indian diaspora, the rise of leaders like Sunak, Harris, Costa, and Varadkar is a supply of inspiration and satisfaction, demonstrating that people of Indian descent can obtain the best political places of work in overseas lands. Nevertheless, the tangible advantages for the diaspora are restricted. For instance, the Indian neighborhood in Southampton has develop into divided over whether or not Sunak’s premiership has offered any actual benefits.
Starmer’s Cupboard And Lack Of Variety
Within the latest UK elections, a file 26 MPs of Indian origin have been elected, with 19 from Labour, together with 12 Sikhs and 6 feminine Sikh MPs. Regardless of this illustration, the Indian neighborhood was disillusioned that just one half-Indian MP acquired a senior ministerial place in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cupboard. This cupboard seems predominantly white, a stark distinction to Boris Johnson’s numerous 2019 cupboard.
The Biden administration has appointed round 130 Indian-People to key positions, reflecting the rising affect and integration of Indian-People in US politics. Whereas these appointments are a supply of satisfaction and probably facilitate stronger India-US relations, the first allegiance of those officers is to the US.
The Indian diaspora is certainly an influential group in lots of international locations, which may be leveraged to India’s benefit. That explains why diaspora outreach is considered one of PM Modi’s key overseas coverage priorities.
The Modi authorities has additionally been advocating for extra representations for India at influential international establishments, such because the Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF), the World Financial institution, and necessary United Nations (UN) our bodies. If we now have extra Indians or Indian-origin folks in key positions in these establishments, it’ll certainly deliver extra status and energy to India.
Indian-Origin CEOs in International IT Corporations
Aside from politics, Indian-origin CEOs of worldwide IT corporations, akin to Sundar Pichai of Google and Satya Nadella of Microsoft, deliver oblique advantages to India. They foster stronger enterprise ties, create job alternatives, put money into Indian startups, and promote know-how and training initiatives. Their success elevates India’s international standing within the tech world.
There is no such thing as a doubt that the achievements of Indian-origin politicians and enterprise leaders in Western international locations or wherever else are commendable and a supply of satisfaction, however it is very important preserve a practical perspective on their affect. Their major obligation is to serve the pursuits of their respective international locations, and their insurance policies are formed by the political and strategic priorities of these nations. The symbolic significance of their success doesn’t essentially translate into tangible advantages for India or the Indian diaspora.
So, in case Biden withdraws from the race and Kamala Harris replaces him I’m positive folks in India, extra notably in Tamil Nadu, will really feel proud. However don’t anticipate any favours from her if she wins. If Trump comes again to energy we’re sure to recollect neither President Biden nor Kamala Harris.
(Syed Zubair Ahmed is a London-based senior Indian journalist with three many years of expertise with the Western media)
Disclaimer: These are the private opinions of the writer
