“Both Democrats & Republicans support relationship with India": Ex-Foreign Secy on US elections

Jul 24, 2024

New Delhi, July 24 (ANI): The failed assassination attempt on former US President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and US President Joe Biden announcing not to seek re-election in the "best interest" of the Democratic Party while endorsing US Vice President Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party has increased the political tussle in the United States. In the backdrop of such seachange happenings in the US, former India's ambassador to the United States, Harsh Vardhan Shringla on July 23 said that whether it's Democrats or Republicans, they both support the relationship with India. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Shringla shed light on the presidential race and how it can impact India-US ties. The former foreign secretary added that the India-US relationship will be stronger now and will continue to assume importance."We in India pile up over the fact that India-US relations are supported by both sides of the political aisle in the United States. Whether it's Democrats or Republicans, they both support the relationship with India. Even with India, there is largely consensus that a good relationship with the United States is in our interest so I don't see ourselves being affected by either candidate, whether it was President Biden, Vice President Kamla Harris or former President Trump. Our relationship will become stronger, certainly, that part is content; the relationship will continue to assume importance, and continue to be regarded as important in US policy and strategy. These policies have been very well-focused towards India. Biden was the first to invite India to the summit level and invited the minister to major conferences regarding climate change, sustainable development, democracy and so on. So I think he has been very considerate of the fact that he cares, and I'm sure that policy will be continued by Vice President Kamla Harris at the same time. Also, under President Trump, there were very notable successes and achievements,” said Harsh Vardhan Shringla.