According to experts, the Indian connections of some US presidential contenders are unlikely to bring any significant advantage for mutual relations against a background of bipartisan support for India in response to China’s assertiveness.
The birthplaces of one or both parents of Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Usha Chilukuri Vance, wife of Republican Donald Trump’s running mate, have rarely been visited by them despite their successes being a source of pride for Indians.
According to Harsh Vardhan Shringla, an ex-Indian ambassador to the US: “Either way, from India’s perspective, whether it is Republican or Democrat… should not be affected.”
“It can only benefit,” he said about Indian ties as well as adding that “it cannot be affected adversely.”
As a result, the relationship between New Delhi and Washington would not change much irrespective of who wins the election or the candidate’s Indian background; an official from India claimed on condition of anonymity.
Both President Joe Biden and his predecessor in office Trump tried hard but failed either to get hold of India as a means against China in the region or pull out New Delhi from its traditional reliance on Russian arms.
Role model
Harris has links with southern India just like Usha Vance who is married to J.D. Vance, a Republican VP nominee. The latter belongs to a family known for their great educational achievements.
Her mother’s ancestral village Thulasendrapuram considers her symbolic asset because she has enough delegates’ endorsement required for her winning nomination under Democratic party tickets.
“This shows how young women who were previously confined within homes can grow up into such heights becoming public figure in world number one country,” said J Sudhakar, a villager whose maternal grandfather was born here when Harris visited it last year as an adult before going through her childhood there five years ago.
“How far is this great?”
As a child aged 5, Harris used to walk beside her grandfather along the local Chennai beach before relocating with her family about 200 miles away from the village of around two thousand people.
However, she has never been back since becoming US vice president.
“We expected a visit, a statement or at least a mention of our village by the residents but there was nothing like that,” said G. Manikandan, a shop keeper.
“But when she becomes vice president, we shall invite her and hold a grand homecoming feast for her,” he concluded.