Trump Or Harris: Who's Better For India? Experts On India Today Debate
Summary
TLDRIn a critical discussion on U.S. politics, the panel examines Kamala Harris's rise as the Democratic presidential candidate following Joe Biden's unexpected withdrawal. Analysts express concerns about her campaign's momentum and potential challenges, including the need for strong endorsements from prominent figures like Barack Obama. They discuss the implications of Harris's policies, particularly regarding immigration and international relations, as well as the strategic importance of campaign funding. The conversation also touches on the contrasting foreign policy approaches of the Democratic and Republican parties, speculating on the future of U.S.-India relations depending on the election outcome.
Takeaways
- π Kamala Harris is positioned as the likely Democratic nominee after Joe Biden's unexpected withdrawal from the race.
- π€ The Democratic Party is under pressure to unite quickly due to time constraints, with the convention approaching.
- π° Kamala Harris's access to Biden's campaign funds gives her a significant advantage in the race.
- π Harris is expected to immediately join the campaign trail, making it difficult for any other candidates to enter the race.
- π The Democratic establishment's primary goal is to prevent Donald Trump from returning to the White House.
- πΊπΈ Analysts believe Harris will largely continue Biden's policies, particularly on Ukraine and abortion rights.
- ποΈ Concerns are raised about Harris's handling of immigration issues, especially given rising illegal immigration rates.
- π India's relationship with the U.S. is seen as unlikely to change significantly, regardless of Harris's presidency.
- π£οΈ There are worries about potential Democratic interference in India's internal affairs, particularly regarding human rights.
- π Current polling shows Trump leading Harris, indicating a challenging campaign ahead for the Democrats.
Q & A
What event led to Kamala Harris becoming a significant candidate in the presidential race?
-Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race and his endorsement of Kamala Harris positioned her as a prominent candidate for the Democratic nomination.
Are there any major Democratic leaders who have not endorsed Kamala Harris yet?
-Yes, key figures such as Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi have yet to officially endorse Kamala Harris, indicating some hesitation within the party.
What challenges does Kamala Harris face as she enters the presidential race?
-Harris faces time pressure, as the Democratic National Convention is approaching, and she must quickly establish herself as a viable candidate to unite the party.
How much campaign funding is Kamala Harris expected to utilize?
-Harris has access to over $200 million in campaign funds from Biden's previous fundraising efforts, which significantly bolsters her financial position.
What are some key issues that Harris is expected to maintain from Biden's administration?
-Harris is likely to continue Biden's policies on Ukraine and abortion, reflecting the Democratic establishment's focus on these issues.
What concerns have been raised regarding Harris's handling of immigration issues?
-There are worries about her effectiveness in addressing the high levels of illegal immigration at the U.S. southern border, which has been a significant topic of discussion.
How do analysts view Harris's potential influence on U.S.-India relations?
-While some analysts express concerns about Harris's past comments and lack of recent engagement with India, there is a consensus that U.S.-India relations will continue to grow due to India's geopolitical significance.
What was highlighted about the Democratic Party's relationship with India's internal affairs?
-The panelists noted that the Democratic Party has been perceived as interfering in India's internal affairs, particularly regarding human rights and relations with Pakistan.
What polling trends were discussed concerning Kamala Harris and Donald Trump?
-Current polling indicates that Kamala Harris ranks lower than Donald Trump, highlighting challenges she faces in terms of public support.
What could be a potential strategy for Harris regarding her choice of a running mate?
-Harris may need to select a strong vice presidential candidate to balance her campaign, particularly given concerns about her public speaking abilities and overall popularity.
Outlines
π³οΈ Kamala Harris's Candidacy After Biden's Withdrawal
This part discusses the significant political shift following Joe Biden's unexpected withdrawal from the presidential race, where he endorsed Kamala Harris as his successor. Lena White highlights the turbulent circumstances surrounding Biden's exit, noting that Democrats are under time pressure as the election approaches. While many within the party have rallied behind Harris, key Democratic leaders like Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi have yet to endorse her, leading to uncertainty. The conversation also touches on Harris's campaign strategy, her access to substantial campaign funds, and the challenges she faces in appealing to the broader Democratic base. The likelihood of a Harris-Trump showdown in the presidential race is emphasized, alongside concerns regarding her stance on key policies.
π Kamala Harris's Policy Stance and Immigration Issues
This section explores Kamala Harris's expected policy alignment with Joe Biden's administration, particularly on issues such as Ukraine and abortion. Lena White suggests that Harris will likely maintain Biden's approach, including continued support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict. However, concerns about her effectiveness as the Border Czar arise, especially given the increasing number of illegal immigrants entering the U.S. The discussion also highlights her lack of engagement with India over the past few years and the implications of her perceived distance from key diplomatic relationships. Ambassador Vina SRI and Professor Brahma Chelani provide insights into how Harris's policies might affect U.S.-India relations and whether she will interfere in India's internal affairs.
π€ U.S.-India Relations Under Democratic Leadership
This part focuses on the potential implications of Kamala Harris's presidency for U.S.-India relations. Professor Chelani expresses skepticism regarding the Democrats' historical tendency to involve themselves in India's internal affairs, contrasting it with the more pragmatic approach of Republican administrations. He notes the growing importance of India on the global stage and suggests that any U.S. administration will seek to strengthen ties with New Delhi. Despite concerns over human rights rhetoric, the overall trajectory of U.S.-India strategic cooperation is expected to remain positive. The section concludes with reflections on how Trump's presidency led to stronger ties with India and the uncertainties surrounding Harris's ability to maintain or enhance this relationship.
π° Campaign Dynamics and Public Sentiment
In this final part, the discussion shifts to the public's response to Kamala Harris's ascension as the Democratic candidate. Lena White notes the dramatic shift in the political landscape following Biden's withdrawal, with speculations about Harris's vice-presidential pick and her need for a strong partner to balance her candidacy. Concerns are raised about her polling numbers, with Harris trailing Trump, indicating challenges ahead. The fundraising dynamics are highlighted, with Democrats raising $50 million in small donations after Biden's announcement, showcasing grassroots support. The conversation ends on a note of uncertainty regarding Harris's ability to secure public trust and support in the coming months, especially amidst ongoing domestic and international challenges.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Kamala Harris
π‘Joe Biden
π‘Democratic Party
π‘Campaign Funding
π‘U.S.-India Relations
π‘Immigration Policy
π‘Endorsements
π‘Public Speaking
π‘Election Strategy
π‘Bipartisan Support
Highlights
Lena White discusses the impact of Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race and Kamala Harris's potential as the Democratic nominee.
The panel acknowledges the challenging political landscape for the Democrats, recalling a similar situation in 1968.
Ambassador Vina Sri notes the time pressure on the Democratic Party to unify behind Harris as the candidate.
Professor Brahma Chelani emphasizes the strategic importance of money in Harris's campaign, highlighting her access to Biden's fundraising.
Harris's strong position is attributed to the substantial funds available from Biden's campaign, amounting to over $240 million.
The discussion includes potential endorsements from key Democratic leaders like Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi.
Lena White raises concerns about Harris's public speaking abilities and overall popularity as she begins her campaign.
Harris's record as Border Czar is debated, with concerns over her ability to address the issue of illegal immigration effectively.
Professor Chelani discusses how U.S.-India relations may evolve under a Harris administration, given her comments on internal affairs.
The panel expresses skepticism about Harris's ability to significantly diverge from Biden's policies, especially regarding Ukraine.
Concerns are raised about the Democrats' historical approach to human rights issues in India and their potential interference.
Ambassador Sri mentions that the relationship between the U.S. and India is unlikely to change drastically, regardless of party affiliation.
The role of financial contributions from grassroots movements and prominent donors in Harris's campaign is highlighted.
The discussion shifts to the implications of Biden remaining president for six months while being deemed unfit for the campaign.
The panel acknowledges the deep political divides in the U.S. and the challenges Harris may face in unifying the party.
Lena White comments on the need for Harris to select a strong vice-presidential candidate to bolster her campaign.
Transcripts
joining me from the United States is
Lena white she's a senior journalist
who's tracking these developments
Ambassador Vina SRI is a former top
Diplomat and Professor Brahma chelani is
a well-respected strategic Affairs
analyst and a former adviser to India's
National Security Council Lena white let
me Begin by asking you after Joe Biden
dropped out of the race and endorsed
kamla Harris is it smooth sailing for
her all the way in this presidential
race or is she facing headwinds Within
the Democratic setup to are the Obama's
endorsing her or just not as
yet it's a great question as you noticed
until now nothing was a smooth
sailing yesterday in the morning the
campaign chair of Biden said that Biden
is continuing his campaign and few hours
later Biden with Drew all of a sudden
it's really been Rocky for the Democrats
but to your question
they don't have time last time this W
happened was in
1968 and the candidate withdrew in March
now is July they are really short of
time and Kamala Harris is in a way the
only best fast options they have so most
of the Democrats have already supported
Kamala Harris they are still waiting on
Democratic leaders such as Obama ncy
Pelosi uh jeffre schum who are sort of a
little bit more distance from that okay
maybe if somebody better would come in
but to your question I think they will
have to go with it rather smoothly just
because of the time pressure okay so
perhaps at Chicago there'll be Clarity
on this Ambassador secre does it appear
to be Donald Trump versus kamla Harris
at least as of now or could there still
be a dark horse in the race to the White
House well I as I just mentioned I think
quite clearly that there is no time at
all and more than that kamla Harris is
already joining the election campaign
she's already going to be canvasing as
of tomorrow because president uh Joe
Biden will no longer be joining the
various Democratic campaign events that
have been scheduled so once she's going
to already join the campaign schedule
it's going to be very difficult in the
month of August a month from now the
Democratic Convention is just more than
a month from now uh then at that time to
then change and have another candidate
is far far too late it is true that Bill
and Hillary Clinton have endorsed her
but uh president President Barack Obama
and his wife Michelle have not endorsed
her Nancy Pelosi is not endorsed her yet
but maybe this is a question just of
days because once she's on the campaign
Trail is going to be very difficult to
get her uh get somebody else to be Indo
so more or less we can take it that uh
vice president kamla Harris is going to
be the Democratic candidate for the
elections especially when uh in in the
Democratic Camp Professor chelani the
conversation is bring you know get your
wagons together because the main aim is
to ensure that Donald Trump doesn't
reach the White House once again how do
you see these developments will it be
kamla Harris taking on Donald Trump in
the race to the White House
sir well God of the reason why Biden was
forced out of the presidential race is
because in the perception of the
democratic party establishment that
become too weak to defeat Donald Trump
the
overriding goal of the establishment the
Deep state in the US is to prevent Trump
from returning to the White House but
your question as to why kamla Harris is
the likely opponent of trump it's all
about money yes piden is sitting on more
than 200 million dollar in cash lawfully
only kamla Harris can use utilize those
funds because it was a Biden Trump sorry
a Biden Harris Harris ticket yes uh that
Drew that money those donations so
lawfully only she can use
those funds and that's the reason why
she's in a strong strong position to be
the nominee the Democratic party is
cacing behind kamla Harris it'll be very
difficult for anyone else to challenge
her and ser certainly because of the
fact that she's sitting on so much cash
she has incredible momentum even though
she just started her
campaign okay absolutely interesting you
say that that $240 million War chess
tips the scale in her favor Lena white
there are analysts who argue that she
will continue Joe Biden's policies some
seem to believe that she'll just follow
through with all his policies is that
also the reading um uh in in the United
States of America whether it's with
Israel or Ukraine or you know in India's
context Vis
India yes I think Kamala Harris will not
go far away from uh Biden's ideas
definitely not on Ukraine it's the whole
idea of the democratic establishment to
keep pumping uh weapons and money and
supplies anything to Ukraine just to
keep the war going so I don't think it
will it will divert from that if
anything she could be stronger on
abortion as everyone is saying she is a
woman it has been her topic since the
beginning she's there I don't think even
though she's now the Border Zar I don't
think she can be any better on that
because as we all know here we have 10
million illegal immigrants ever since
they got into the office so I don't
think she can much push further on that
but if anything then then on abortion
okay so you know that may be one issue
but Ambassador secri Lena white mentions
she's the Border Zar does that work in
her favor or or given that mass illegal
immigration that's taking place in the
United States of America that actually
goes on to work against
her yes I I think some of the issues I
think on policy as such she will
definitely follow the policies of the
democratic government under President
Joe Biden and certainly as far as we in
IND concerned we've seen uh their
interest on internal affairs in India
whether it is the ca or the NRC and you
know the whole question of what happened
during India's recent elections there's
been a big report from the disin for lab
about interference in India's elections
and we know that so that is all these
are questions of worry we also know that
um uh vice president kamla Harris has
spoken about her Indian Heritage U but
she has not visited India in the last
three and a half years she not visited
India there not been much direct contact
with her so these are all issues that
certainly uh you know the the people in
India will be looking at uh but on
immigration we've seen that President um
Trump has promised a much Sterner policy
and the the it is known that the people
of the USA are uh really worried and
concerned about the huge amount of
numbers that are pouring into uh America
from the borders from the southern
borders and this is going to be an issue
that that will have to be tackled by
will have to be spoken about by vice
president kamla Harris as does her
campaign okay uh Professor chelani on on
issues like 317 Jammu and Kashmir or the
citizenship Amendment act the Democrats
were seen as some as people who were
interfering in India's Internal Affairs
kamla Harris was quoted as saying
kashmiris should know they are not alone
or words to that effect so in the White
House do you see her as in case she
makes it to the White House more
interfering in India's Internal
Affairs the Democrats are you know they
carry all sorts of baggage including
human rights baggage that they use uh
against um even partners and allies the
Republicans are uh much more pragmatic
in that sense but the fact is that the
general
trajectory toward a indu US strategic
cooperation is unlikely to be altered in
the post Biden era booming American
exports to India reinforce the
bipartisan support in Washington for
stronger and closer ties with India uh
which Administration can ignore India
you know India's International profile
and geopolitical weight are growing it's
the India is now the world's fifth
biggest economy after surpassing Britain
and by next year India is set to become
the third largest economy by overtaking
both Japan and Germany so there is no
way that any Administration in
Washington will seek to in any in any
way downgrade the relationship with New
Delhi in fact the relationship is going
to continue to grow but the fact is that
when Trump was in the White
House those were the hen days of the US
India relationship was not because of
the Houston Rally or the Ahmedabad rally
was because of fundamental shifts in
policy that Trump Administration
instituted he instituted fundamental
shifts in US policies towards India's
two Regional adversaries China and
Pakistan and he gave India Pride a place
in in his indopacific strategy including
commit committing the us to help qu
Court accelerate India's rise that's why
that is why us indiaan relations thrived
during the Trump presidency okay Biden
came to office criticizing India on
various issues during his campaign and
even though in office he sought to
continue his predecessors efforts to
strengthen relations with India yet we
have seen in recent months how his
secretary of state has sought to
interfere in India's Internal Affairs
and use the human rights card as a a
sort of an instrument to be India with
yes so that is that likely to continue
uh uh you know ambass SEC your
appreciation should should uh you know
kamla harrish make it to the White House
because there are several issues that
you know the Democrats are in in many
ways seem to be uh pretty close even to
Pakistan whether uh the Biden
Administration gives them the f-16s uh
or gets them off the fatf or assist or
helps them or looks the other way when
they get off the fatf gra is despite
doing nothing Against Terror or that
Hardline on China which is not as hard
as as the Trump line on China how do you
read this uh in in the in the weeks and
months ahead yes I think certainly uh
president Trump's line on China has been
far more realistic far more pragmatic
far more in recognition of the h IC role
that China is trying to play in the
world and trying to push America into
accepting this G2 you know the the
American camp and the Chinese Camp
Barack Obama and the Democrats are
supporting the China on G2 in fact it
was Barack Obama's time that initiated
this whole idea so I think president
Trump is much more realistic on that we
have always had better relations with
Republican administrations uh and uh
rather than Democratic administrations
which they you know always overlooking
the looking over the shoulders into the
domestic affairs of India and trying to
think that they can you know legislate
or talk about or pass judgment on
everything happening in every corner of
the world so I think this has been a
great problem with us and we look
forward actually to uh you know the the
Republican the four years under
President Donald Trump which had led to
a great Improvement in the relationship
and let us see the next four years what
happens in that U at the moment the um
comparison in the polling ratings when
President Joe Biden was the candidate uh
were very much in president Trump's
favor no new ratings have come out right
now uh after this change has taken place
just today but uh perhaps they do not
expect a very big change in these
polling ratings uh after uh uh vice
president kamla Harris becomes the
candidate let us see a matter for the
people of America to decide and
certainly we all watching it with great
interest abely it's the world's oldest
democracy that that's watching elections
in the United States of America seen as
one of the largest democracies in the
world but Lena white uh what's it like
in the US after this announcement uh
that it's not Joe Biden it's kamla
Harris and who would be her running mate
uh lots of lots of speculation but is
that likely uh to to make some dramatic
change in favor of the
Democrats it it's been dramatic for
about one month as as you can remember
there was the Trump Biden debate it it
went downhill then the attempt
assassination against uh former
president trump it was a disaster and
now suddenly Biden of withdrawing this
was not really that unexpected people
thought that something will have to
happen just based on the pressure which
was officially put against Biden of
course no one expected he will do it uh
offline no one has seen single picture
of him ever since he uh put this major
statement only via X platform not even
address the nation you know Nationwide
so it has been very strange done very
strange way in terms of kamla Harris she
is ranking not the best uh as one of the
speakers already mentioned she's having
46% Trump is having 51 we will of course
see more and more PS pouring in uh as
the time goes
uh who knows if they are true that's
another thing okay but I think kamla
Harris will have to pick a very strong
uh Vice pres vice president to sort of
balance her out because she's not the
strongest candidate we all know that if
you look online her speeches are called
so-called salad speeches or unburdened
because she has very hard time talking
publicly and I don't know how they will
get around this within like a one month
of time interesting you mentioned that
but there's also this issue about
funding Professor chelani uh should
India be concerned and would India be
concerned the people who are funding
kamla Harris her her campaign and
especially elements like
Soros well that's an issue but um just
yesterday after Biden announced his
decision to drop out of the race the
Democrats collected $50 million all in
small
donations that is a record for a single
day yes they are flushed with
cash so it's not just SOS or the big
donors it's the fact that at from the
Grassroots they're collecting a lot of
money but there's a larger issue
here the issue is this
that Biden may have dropped out the race
but he still is the president for the
next six
months if Pon is not physically and
mentally fit to run for president
again how can be fit to remain as
president for six more months and that's
that debate is already raging in the
United States of America yeah like you
know if if he was he was forced
out because he was not physically and
mentally fit but then somebody who's not
fit should he stay as president for six
small months at a time when the US is
facing both a you know domestic
challenges of you know it's very
polarized um and it's a very divided
society and internationally it's a very
turbulent time and perhaps that's the
baptism by fire that kamla Harris will
go through but we'll be tracking that
story very very closely have
unfortunately run out of time on this
part of the show and does the consensus
appear to be that for India it's the
Republicans and Donald Trump who's who's
likely to be better to take this
relationship forward is that actually
the case we'll be tracking that will it
be abar Trump sarcar actually this time
after a gap of four years that is all I
have for you on this show to all my
guest many thanks for joining me
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