India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is currently on a visit to Australia, reacted to the US presidential election scheduled for November 5. Jaishankar predicted that India's relationship with the US will "only grow" irrespective of the poll results.
The November 5 elections will decide whether the White House will welcome Vice President Kamala Harris as its first woman president or former president Donald Trump for a second term. Harris, 60, is the Democratic presidential candidate, while Trump, 78, is her Republican rival.
Reacting to the same, Jaishankar said that India and US relations have seen steady progress over the past five presidencies, asserting that the same would continue after November 5 results are announced.
“We have seen steady progress in our relationship with the US over the last 5 presidencies, including an earlier Trump presidency. So, when we look at the American election, we are very confident that whatever the verdict, our relationship with the US will only grow,” Jaishankar said.
#WATCH | Canberra, Australia: On US Presidential elections, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar says, ” We have seen steady progress in our relationship with US over the last 5 presidencies, including an earlier Trump presidency. So, when we look at the American election,… pic.twitter.com/pNdgqmlvBQ
— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2024
He made the statement while addressing a joint presser with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong.
Harris and former president Donald Trump on Monday rallied their supporters in key swing states on the eve of the polling day. Harris and Trump were scrambling to get supporters to the polls in an historically close contest, which means it could take days for the winner to emerge.
While Kamala Harris has Indian root, his rival Donald Trump shares a good rapport with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the run-up to the presidential election, Trump has recalled his ties with 'good friend' Modi. We have a great relationship with India. I did. And especially the leader, Modi. He's a great leader. Great man. Is a great man. He's brought it together. He's done a great job," he said in October.
Meanwhile, Harris also did dwell too much on India during her campaign. As US gears up to vote in the 2024 Presidential election, special prayers were held at Harris' ancestral village in Tamil Nadu. Special prayers were held for at the temple in Thulasendrapuram for the victory of Kamala Harris. At the temple, Harris' name is engraved into a stone that lists public donations, along with that of her grandfather. Outside, a large banner wishes "the daughter of the land" success in the election.