Delhi University Associate Kumar Sanjay Singh presents a curtain-raiser of the possible change in scenarios of Indo-US relationship after the transition of power at the White House in the hands of Democrat Joseph R. Biden Jr and his compatriot Kamala Harris.

THE INAUGURATION OF DONALD TRUMP AS THE 45TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES witnessed the establishment of perhaps the most disruptive regime in US history. Even US foreign policy that followed a remarkably stable trajectory in the post-WWII era was not spared from the whims of Donald Trump.

The present elections in the US have nearly concluded though the official results are still to be announced, Will Joe Biden’s victory, mark the return of the conventional in US foreign policy?

How will Biden presidency affect Indo-Us ties?

The increasing strategic ties between India and the United States are likely to continue. These ties, which began with President Bill Clinton has persisted over four Presidents.

Significantly though, under Donald Trump, the Indo-US strategic ties had become transactional where in return India was obligated to buy US arms and petroleum. Under Joe Biden, it is very likely that this transactional aspect of Indo-US will be replaced with common strategic concerns to check the growing influence of China in the South Asian region.

Biden’s commitment towards multiculturalism will not only witness America’s return to WHO, Paris Climate Agreement and free trade, which too may witness the easing of constant threats of a tariff war.

Under Biden, the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement will become the main platform to check China in the Indo-Pacific oceanic routes. With the revival of TPPA, QUAD might lose the primacy that the Trump and Pompeo initiative in Indo-Pacific region wanted it to have. With this shift in the significance of QUAD, increasing US pressure on India to make a military commitment in Afghanistan and South China sea will be released, which is likely to be beneficial to India.

Moreover, Biden will also revive the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal, which will end the Trump-imposed economic sanctions on Iran. Even on this score, India will stand to gain tremendously from the revival of economic ties with Iran.

“Once COVID19-imposed economic slump on US economy eases, Indians may witness the easing of H1B Visa norms.”

Biden is committed to restoring US leadership in the world order. There would, therefore, be a return of US to multilateral platforms such as WHO, Paris Climate Agreement and institutions of free trade, which may witness the easing of constant threats of tariff wars.

There would also be a significant shift from the Trump era immigration laws. Once COVID19-imposed economic slump on US economy eases, Indians may witness the easing of H1B Visa norms.

Something that would not be palatable to the government of India is that the Biden-led United States government may turn out to be outspoken on the cultural, religious and human rights policies of the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government of India.

Kumar Sanjay Singh is Associate Professor in the Department of History at the Swami Shraddhanand College, University of Delhi with specialisation in Mutations in Indian State formation post-1947, Extraordinary laws especially Internal Security Legislations and Human Rights with special focus on North-east India and Adivasi society.