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Date- 22 September 2019
Place- Texas state of America
PM Modi was addressing the ‘Howdy Modi’ program in Houston, Texas. During this, Modi said in the presence of Trump, “This time Trump government.” There were elections in America only after a year. In such a situation, this statement of Modi was seen in opposition to the Democratic Party and in support of Trump.
Date- 22 June 2023
Place- Washington DC
PM Modi was addressing the joint session of the US Parliament. During this, he said, “There are millions of people in America whose roots are in India. Many people are sitting in this House with pride.” Saying this, Modi suddenly turned back and then smilingly looked at Kamala and said, “One is also sitting behind me.”
On hearing his words, all the leaders present in the House stood up and started clapping. The entire house started resonating with applause. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson also got up from his chair and started applauding.
Kamala and Trump are face to face in the US presidential elections to be held after 2 months on November 5. Just before this, Modi has reached America. He will address 25 thousand Indians in New York. About 50 lakh people of Indian origin live in America. Who can play a decisive role in the elections.
In such a situation, the question arises that for whom will it be beneficial for Modi to go to America before the elections, how are Kamala and Trump’s relations with Modi, what is the stand of both the candidates on Indian issues…
Donald Trump considers PM Modi as his friend and calls him a ‘fantastic man’. The picture is of Howdy Modi program held in September 2019.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising Kamala in the US Parliament.
PM Modi praised Trump continuously for 12 minutes… Partnership between the two leaders so far Trump and Modi have had a very strong relationship. Both of them call each other good friends and meet each other with great warmth. When Modi visited America in September 2019, a “Howdy Modi” program was organized for him in Texas.
50 thousand Indians had come to listen to PM Modi. Trump also participated in this program. Then PM Modi praised Trump for 12 minutes. Trump had been smiling for so long after hearing praise from Modi.
PM Modi had said in praise of Trump-
Trump is popular all over the world. Everyone on earth knows him. The world knew Trump even before he became President. He has traveled from CEO to Commander in Chief. The people of India feel connected to the slogan ‘Abki Baar, Trump Sarkar’.
There was a controversy in India over this statement made by Modi among the Indians. Rahul Gandhi said that Jaishankar should teach some diplomacy to Prime Minister Modi. His statement could have angered the Democratic Party. After criticism, Jaishankar himself had given clarification on Modi’s speech.
After Howdy Modi in 2019, Trump visited India in February 2020. A program was organized to welcome him at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. It was named ‘Namaste Trump’. More than 1 lakh people participated in it. PM Modi even took a tour of the stadium holding his hand.
Trump had recently said that he would like to meet PM Modi during his visit to America.
India’s heritage was mentioned in Kamala’s speeches, but she did not come to India. Modi met Kamala for the first time in 2021. During this time, he had invited Kamala to come to India, but she did not come to India even once in the last 4 years. Last year in 2023, when Modi went to America again, Kamala hosted a lunch for him. During this he gave a speech of about 15 minutes.
However, in the speech, there was more mention of his heritage related to India and less mention of PM Modi. Kamala had praised PM Modi for dealing with Corona and India’s economic progress.
At the same time, PM Modi had thanked Kamala Harris for his welcome. He had said, “When Kamala Harris’s mother came to America, she maintained relations with India through letters. The distance was thousands of miles, but hearts were connected. Kamala took these things to great heights.”
Earlier in June 2021, Modi had called Kamala. He thanked Kamala for helping Indians living in America.
Kamala Harris had told PM Modi during her visit to America in September 2021 that India needs to protect democracy and human rights.
Kamala VS Trump: Who is better for India?
In terms of granting visas to Indians – Trump had banned H-1B, expecting better from Kamala Kamala Harris’s stance on visa policies is more flexible than Trump’s. People coming to America from India in search of jobs need H-1 B visa. Trump has always been against such visas. They say it’s bad for the American people. Trump had banned H-1B during his presidency.
At the same time, Kamala Harris takes a soft stance on the visa issue. She wants that America should provide as many visas as possible to the country so that immigrants can live in America. Kamala’s most important statement regarding this came in November 2019.
He had said that he is in favor of removing the limit on H1-B visas for immigrants. He said that more needs to be done to protect immigrant workers, so that they can live in our country and contribute to our economy.
According to this, Kamala Harris is better for Indians. This is why (According to AAPI data survey) 55% of American Indians are supporters of the Democratic Party. At the same time, only 25% Indians are considered supporters of the Republican Party.
In trade matters – Trump removed India from the category of special business partner. Trump government is more harmful for India on trade issue. Trump is in favor of making imports expensive and promoting American exports. This may cause loss to India. During Trump’s tenure, there were many occasions of dispute between India and America on the issue of trade.
During his first term, Trump had removed India from the category of special business partner. A country included in this category can sell about 2 thousand products in America without any tax. But Trump said that India takes advantage of this system. India itself wants to pay less tax but collects more tax from American companies.
In July 2024, Trump had said in an election rally that India had imposed 200% tariff on Harley Davidson. Bikes became expensive due to imposition of tariff. That’s why the American company could not sell its bikes there. Trump said that India wants to bring foreign companies to its country but imposes expensive tariffs on their products. The Democrats are more right about the trade deficit and tariffs.
India’s internal politics – Biden government made India uncomfortable with statements on 5 special occasions
In September 2021, there was a conversation between Kamala Harris and PM Modi on the issue of democracy. At that time, without naming any country, Kamala Harris had said that democracy is in danger all over the world and if the situation has to be improved then it is necessary for India to come together.
Later, international affairs experts criticized this statement and said that Kamala indirectly raised questions on India’s democracy. This is not the only occasion, similarly on many occasions the Biden government has made the Indian government uncomfortable by commenting on India’s internal politics. The Trump government’s record in this matter has been fine.
Human rights and Kashmir issue – Harris’s stand on Kashmir is different from Trump’s
Kamala Harris’s stand on Kashmir and human rights does not match with India. Kamla had given a statement on the removal of Article 370 and the subsequent questions related to human rights in Kashmir. He also criticized the Modi government.
In October 2019, after the removal of Article 370, Harris had said, “We have to remind Kashmiris that they are not alone in the world. We are monitoring the situation. If the situation changes, there will be a need to intervene.” However, after becoming the Vice President, there has been a change in Kamala Harris’s attitude compared to before.
At the same time, Trump has been giving statements in support of India most of the time on the issue of Kashmir. In July 2019, Trump, sitting next to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, had made a shocking claim. Trump had said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told him in June that America should play the role of mediator on the Kashmir issue.
Trump had said, “I would be very happy to be a mediator.” There was so much uproar over Trump’s statement in India that the Indian Foreign Ministry had to give clarification on it. The ministry had said that no such proposal has been made by India. However, paragraph 370 After the removal, the Trump government of America had said that this is an internal matter of India.
Democratic Party and Kamala Harris’ stand regarding immigrants The Democratic Party is also known for its weak stance on illegal immigration. The party is criticized for this. However, Kamala Harris advocates bringing strict laws regarding immigration. Kamala, in her first interview given after joining the presidential race, had alleged that the Republican government does not want any solution to illegal immigration.
Immigration has become a big issue in the US presidential elections.
Who is better Kamala or Trump in countering China? Priyanka Singh of the Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis says that America considers China as the biggest threat. In such a situation, whichever party is in power, it will deal with China the same way it has been doing. If Trump is more vocal, he will keep giving many statements regarding China, but at the government level, both the parties will maintain the same stance towards China.
They say many times that they will impose heavy tariffs on goods coming from China. But the Biden government has also taken such steps. Biden administration has imposed up to 100% tariff on things like Chinese EV, semiconductor, battery, solar cells, steel etc. India can benefit from this. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to bring semiconductor industry to India.
Who is the better expert comment – Priyanka Singh says that no matter whether Kamala Harris or Trump wins, there will be no significant change in India-America relations. Both are good for India. Economic, military or diplomatic relations between India and America have progressed significantly in the last few years.
Whichever party the next President belongs to, he will take it further. Now there will be no break in it. There will be issues on some matters but it will not make any difference in the relations between the two countries. Still, there are some issues where differences can be seen between the two administrations. It is very unlikely that India will vocally support any one candidate.