With just a month left until the U.S. presidential elections, University of Florida political science expert Sharon D Wright Austin believes Kamala Harris, as the Democratic presidential candidate, is expected to strengthen ties between India and the United States if she wins the election. Harris, currently Vice President, is running against Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump in the November 5 election.

According to trends, Harris is likely to receive significant support from female voters, particularly women of color. Her campaign strategy has focused on the issue of reproductive rights, and she has publicly stated that she would proudly sign a bill to restore the protections of Roe v Wade if elected president. The Roe v Wade ruling, which was overturned in 2022, led to abortion restrictions in 22 states following Trump's appointment of three Supreme Court justices.

Austin also highlighted the pride many Indians would feel if Harris wins, given her Indian heritage. Harris, whose mother was from India and father from Jamaica, is the first woman of color and first Asian-American to serve as vice president. Her parents had immigrated to the United States.

The Indian-American community has made notable political progress in recent years, with two Indian-Americans making serious bids for the presidency. Despite being a relatively small part of the electorate, Indian-American voters tend to vote in high numbers for both Democratic and Republican candidates.

Foreign policy remains a significant issue for American voters, as it affects gas prices and national security. Austin noted that many Americans fear that foreign conflicts could spill over into the U.S.

Trump has criticized the Biden administration’s foreign policies, particularly the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, claiming that the nation's global reputation has suffered under Biden.

Harris’ performance in the second presidential debate, hosted by ABC News in Philadelphia in September, showcased her stance on key issues like abortion, illegal immigration, and the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. While the debate did not lead to a major shift in polling numbers, it helped voters better understand her policies.

Austin also addressed the political polarization in the U.S., discussing the recent assassination attempts on both Trump and Harris. Two attempts were made on Trump’s life between July and September, the first at a rally in Pennsylvania. Harris’ Arizona office was also targeted in a shooting, though no injuries were reported. Austin called for stricter gun control laws and greater efforts to ensure public safety, emphasizing that such threats could happen to any candidate.

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