Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate and current US Vice President, is competing against former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Today, voters will choose who will become the 47th President of the United States, a decision that could have significant implications for the global economy.
Who is Kamala Harris?
Kamala Harris is notable for being the first Black woman and the first individual of South Asian descent to run for the presidency in the US. At 60 years old, she has roots tracing back to her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, who emigrated from Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
What Harris's Victory Could Mean for India
A Harris administration might enhance US-India relations due to her Indian heritage and favorable foreign policy views. Although her stance on tariffs remains unclear, she has emphasized taxing the wealthy and providing relief to the middle class.
Experts believe that if Harris wins, she is likely to continue the trade policies initiated under the Biden administration, further solidifying diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations. Cooperation in areas such as defense, trade, health, and climate change is expected to persist, aligning with the approaches seen during Biden's tenure.
Key policy focuses would include strengthening economic resilience, promoting domestic manufacturing, and decreasing dependence on global supply chains. Harris is anticipated to align with India’s strategic interests and uphold a strong US stance against Russia's actions in Ukraine. Additionally, her experience as a former prosecutor and senator may contribute to efforts to limit Chinese influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
However, Harris may diverge from President Biden’s accommodating approach towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. Her previous concerns as a senator regarding the revocation of Article 370, which altered Jammu and Kashmir's special status in August 2019, suggest potential differences in foreign policy.
When to Expect Election Results
Typically, news outlets in the US begin making projections shortly after the polls close on Election Night, which is on November 5 in the US and November 6 in India. A candidate needs at least 270 out of the 538 Electoral College votes to secure the presidency. However, if the election results are close in key states, it may take hours or even days to determine the overall winner due to the counting of postal ballots.
Polls indicate that the race is tightly contested. The new President will be inaugurated on January 6 of next year, and the world is keenly watching the unfolding events.
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