The final stage of the U.S. presidential election is underway, drawing significant attention due to the chain of events surrounding it. Analysts believe this election could have a lasting impact worldwide.

In this election, the Republican Party candidate, Donald Trump, who has previously served as president, is once again in the race. Meanwhile, current President Joe Biden was the Democratic candidate but withdrew his candidacy due to health reasons. According to Voice of America, voter influence varies across states, with California holding 54 electoral votes and Alaska only 3. This difference leads to election strategies being developed based on the political trends of different states.

In U.S. elections, “swing states” are also crucial, as voter decisions in these states are often unclear and can decisively influence the outcome. Across the 50 U.S. states, there are a total of 538 electoral votes, with any candidate needing a majority of 270 votes to become president.

In the last election, Joe Biden secured 306 electoral votes, while Donald Trump received 232 votes. This disparity illustrates that voters’ influence varies from state to state.

Why Are India and the World Watching?

The U.S. election outcome has a global impact, especially for India, which hopes to strengthen its relations with the U.S. As a dominant force in various international institutions, the U.S. can influence global policies. For India, support from the U.S. could potentially further efforts toward United Nations reforms.

How Will the U.S. Election Impact India-U.S. Relations?

In recent years, whether during Trump’s or Biden’s administration, India-U.S. relations have remained strong. Former diplomat Skand Tayal believes that regardless of who becomes the U.S. president, the relations between the two nations will remain stable. He notes that current U.S. foreign policy is bringing Russia closer to China, and Trump might reconsider this approach.

Regarding China, both candidates have a firm stance. If Kamala Harris becomes president, Biden’s current foreign policy could continue.

Middle East Crisis and Its Implications

The Israel-Gaza conflict in the Middle East is also a significant issue in this election. This not only affects U.S. foreign policy but also has domestic implications, as the economic impact of the war in this region is a concern for American voters.
“Most Americans see this as a major concern because the war in the Middle East directly impacts their own economy.”

How Do Indian-Americans View Both Candidates?

Immigration and visa policies are key issues for the Indian community. Kamala Harris’ Indian heritage creates a unique connection with Indian-American voters, leading many Indian organizations to support the Democratic Party. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s relationship with Prime Minister Modi, including events like “Howdy Modi,” is also important to Indian voters.

Within the Indian community, there are two primary groups—those on temporary H-1B visas and those who are U.S. citizens. Although only citizens can vote, temporary visa holders are also closely watching the election issues. In this regard, Trump’s strict immigration policies are a major concern for them.

In terms of immigration, recent years have seen an increase in illegal immigration from South Asian countries as the legal process becomes more challenging. If Trump is re-elected, stricter immigration rules are expected, making this election especially important for the Indian community.