Rama Krishna Sangem
Just as the US presidential elections 10 days away, Indian Americans, who like Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP, are preferring Donald Trump to Kamala Harris, for the top executive post. Though their numbers are less in the electorate, influence wise they play a role in shaping the outcome, especially at a time when the race is getting too close to call. Most opinion polls called it a dead heat, while some projected a narrow – 2 per cent – advantage to Trump.
Initially, these Indian Americans of pro-BJP or Modi fans were excited about the candidature of Kamala Harris, who came on to the stage after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race in August, following widespread opposition to him within the Democrats. Kamala fit the bill of the imagination of Indian Americans as well as Indians. They rejoiced over Kamala, means Lotus, BJP election symbol, will bloom over the White House.
But, the subsequent developments that took place have shaken their confidence. The PM Modi fans or BJP supporters or Hindu Americans are now of the view that Kamala Harris presidency would harm Indian interests. They feel Trump is a better choice for Indian interests. Staunch BJP think-tank intellectuals have been arguing for a Trump presidency for the next 4 years. These intellectuals have access to the ministry of external affairs and central intelligence sources.
4 Reasons for that
One, They feel the US is behind Canada’ s recent anti-Indian steps – like blaming Indian intelligence agents – behind the murder of a Khalistani activist – Nijjar. It is a fact that Five Eyes – a collective of intelligence wings of five English speaking countries – the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand – share all the inputs before coming to a conclusion for blaming any country.
So, the US led by Joe Biden led Democratic administration knows fully well that Canada was doing to India. In fact, the US has asked Indian government to cooperate with Canada on its allegation that some former RAW agents were linked to the murder of a Khalistani activist. This India cannot digest. the Modi led Indian government expected that the US would control Canada, but not this stand.
Two, or the most important reason is that a lower court of the US – the District Court for the Southern District of New York – issued summons to India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval – on September 19, two days before PM Modi landed in America to meet President Biden. Modi was in the US for two big events – one the Quad summit at Delaware and the UN general assembly session, New York.
Doval is of the union cabinet rank official. He is very powerful in the hierarchy – as he attends the Cabinet Committee on Security along with the PM and the Defence Minister. Though the summons were issued to him for his capacity as former RAW (Research and Analysis Wing director), the very act of a US lower court calling such a high ranking official of India has shocked the Modi establishment. As a result, Doval stayed back from the US tour of Modi.
The US court issued summons based on allegation by a pro-Khalistan activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The Modi fans strongly believe that this act of the US court is not just a random development. Before that, many pro-Khalistan activists have been given access to the White House where some top ranking US officials heard their case – of India harassing them for championing the case of Khalistan.
The Modi fans believe that Kamala Harris, if wins, would certainly follow the stand of Biden led Democrat administration and continue to encourage Khalistan elements. Canada would not have taken a stand against India without the tacit support of the US, they feel. Kamala is known for her liberal views of Khalistan or Kashmir. Democrats in general don’t like the Hindu nationalist angle of BJP.
Third reason is the recent ousting of Sheikh Hasina as the PM of Bangladesh. The BJP think- tank with access to the top ranking intelligence are of the view that the US has a role in her ousting and installation of a Islamist friendly regime in Dhaka. Newly appointed Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Ynus is close to the US administration. Fourth and the last reason is Biden’s continued support to Pakistan, both militarily and financially.
