India is preparing to work with a new U.S. administration under Joe Biden.
What does this win mean to India?
Joe Biden’s win is a mixed bag for the government.
On the one hand, India invested much in the Trump administration, which indicated a virtual endorsement for his re-election.
On the other hand, Mr. Biden is a long-time supporter of the U.S.-India relationship.
He brings to his presidency both the comfort of his understanding of foreign policy and the promise of future strategic ties.
What would be the priority?
Foreign policy itself may not be his immediate priority, given the U.S.’s battle with the pandemic.
The President-elect’s goal is to heal rifts in its polity and restore the soul of America.
However, it is clear that he will make moves to reverse some of the Trump-era policies.
What could be some of his moves?
For India, these could include the U.S.’s return to the Paris climate accord, which would help with its energy transformation.
It could also include a return to Iran nuclear negotiations, which will facilitate its regional connectivity ambitions.
He is unlikely to reverse the Afghan pullout and instead might make it a more measured exit.
On China, he may adopt a less confrontational attitude while maintaining a pushback.
He may press a hard nerve on the issues of human rights, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
India should be prepared to hold its own in tough conversations on these sensitive issues.
What could be expected?
Mr. Biden’s presidency promises a change in leadership style, with broader powers to advisers and process-driven decisions.
His belief in building up U.S. trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific alliances might be at odds with America’s more transactional trends.
No sudden moves may be expected, and policy consistency is likely to be preferred to a more personalised summit style.
As India prepares to adjust its responses to the new dispensation, it would welcome Mr. Biden’s intention to re-energise the multilateral global order.
