Ex-Diplomat Meera Shankar On India-US Ties After Trump’s Return: Strategic Relationship Will Continue To Grow

Former Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Meera Shankar, on Wednesday remarked that the strategic partnership between India and the United States is likely to keep strengthening as both nations’ interests align, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on establishing a “sustainable balance” concerning China. Speaking to ANI before the U.S. presidential election results were announced—where Donald Trump ultimately emerged victorious—Shankar observed that regardless of whether President-elect Trump or outgoing President Joe Biden held office, both administrations held a common stance on a crucial issue: China as their “main strategic challenger.”

Shankar elaborated that China not only has the capability but also the intent to challenge U.S. leadership on the global front, making the U.S.-India relationship increasingly relevant in this regard. “I think the broad strategic relationship will continue to grow because both India and the U.S. have a convergence of interests in the Indo-Pacific, particularly about creating a sustainable balance vis-a-vis China,” she said.

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“The U.S., whether it is Trump or Biden, I think this is one issue on which there’s consensus between the Democrats and the Republicans: they see China as their main strategic challenger, a country with both the capability and the intention to challenge U.S. leadership. So, the relationship with India becomes important in that context, and that is going to broadly guide the relationship,” Shankar added.

Meanwhile, foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdeva commented on the significance of the 2024 U.S. election outcome, noting its impact on America’s future. He highlighted the contrasting leadership styles and policies of Trump and Kamala Harris, suggesting that either result would be favorable for India. “The American elections of 2024 are extremely important. They will shape the future of America… What Donald Trump will do in America is very different from what Kamala Harris will do in America. So there’s a huge contrast headed out there… Whoever comes, Trump or Harris, will be excellent for India,” Sachdeva said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Donald Trump clinched the U.S. presidential election, securing his position as the 47th president by surpassing the 270-majority threshold with a key win in Wisconsin. CNN projections indicate that Trump now holds 276 electoral votes, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, as vote counting continues in other states. His wins in battleground states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia underscore a historic comeback after his 2020 defeat, marking only the second time in U.S. history that a president will serve two non-consecutive terms.

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