Tue Nov 05 18:06:02 UTC 2024: ## India-US Ties to Remain Strong Despite Potential Differences in Approach, Experts Say
**Washington, November 6, 2024** – Despite a close race between Democratic leader Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump for the U.S. Presidency, foreign policy experts believe the overall positive momentum in India-U.S. relations will endure. However, they anticipate some variations in approach towards New Delhi depending on who occupies the White House.
While both candidates have expressed support for a strong India-U.S. partnership, differences are expected in areas like trade, energy, and immigration.
Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of the America chapter of the Observer Research Foundation, suggests Trump’s administration might engage in “difficult negotiations” on trade and immigration, though he’s expressed positive sentiments about India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Conversely, a Harris administration is expected to build upon the progressive agenda established by the Biden administration over the past four years, potentially leading to different foreign policy implications for India.
Jaishankar highlights potential variations in energy cooperation, with a Democratic administration emphasizing clean and renewable energy sources, while a Republican administration may prioritize fossil fuels.
Regardless of the outcome, experts agree that the energy relationship between India and the U.S., the two largest consumers, is likely to strengthen.
Kapil Sharma, a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programmes, believes the next President will have to cultivate friendly relations with India due to its projected emergence as the world’s second largest economy in the coming decades.
While acknowledging potential differences in handling contentious issues, Sharma expresses confidence in the continued flourishing of India-U.S. ties, regardless of the victor.
Anang Mittal, a Capitol Hill veteran, anticipates a more amicable approach towards India from Trump compared to Harris. He emphasizes the strong foundation of the India-U.S. partnership, predicting its resilience regardless of the election outcome.
The 2024 U.S. Presidential election has been one of the most closely contested in decades. While Harris has closed the gap in approval ratings, Trump’s political comeback from legal troubles last year has been noteworthy, according to Mittal. He acknowledges Trump’s remarkable political resurgence, comparing it to that of Richard Nixon.
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