Joseph R. Biden won theelections in America and became the President elect candidate along with VicePresident elect candidate Kamala Harris. While the world is watching the twistsand turns in the change of administration and transitioning of power, it has come to light that around 20Indian-Americans have been either nominated or named for key roles in theadministration led by Biden & Harris.
It is a new record where 20Indian Americans, including 13 women are suspected to have bagged key roles. 17of these 20 will a part of the White House complex. As per reports, theIndian-American population constitute 1% of the US population. Reflecting deepengagement with the Indian-Americans Biden has sent a clear signal to the restof the world that America still values openness and gives due where people ofany country deserve.
"As President, I'llalso continue to rely on Indian-American diaspora, that keeps our two nationstogether, as I have throughout my career," Biden had addressed theIndian-American community on the Independence day in 2020. So, these appointmentsare in line with his earlier promises.
Besides inductingIndian-Americans Biden has also included Pakistani and Sri-Lankan Americans in several key roles.Before casting any aspersions, it is pertinent to note that they are allAmerican citizens first but having roots in the rest of the world meansengagement with their native countries will rise.
TacklingCovid-19
With dwindling economy, lossin jobs and significant rise in Covid-19 cases, US seems to be facing an uphilltask of putting the economy on track by controlling the cases and reshaping thejob creation market. Moreover, smooth and efficient distribution of vaccines isanother aspect that must be kept in mind as far as US administration isconcerned. As Trump administration didn't take rise in Covid-19 casesseriously, it is expected that administration of Biden will look into all themajor concerns. It is alarming to know that US economy plunged at an enormousannual rate of 32.9% since the last blow in the great depression. 22 millionAmericans were laid off in the country.
Joe Biden recently unveiled$1.9 trillion relief package to help the economy battered by the pandemic. TheNY Times columnist, Ezra Klein in his column said, "I wish I could tellyou that the incoming Biden administration had a genius plan for combatingCovid-19, thick with ideas no one else had thought of and strategies no oneelse had tried. But it doesn’t."
Klein added, "The goodnews is that the incoming Biden administration sees the situation clearly."
After Biden assumes power,the time will tell how he prioritizes the issues related to Covid-19 from day one. Experts are of the view that the Biden's Covid-19 strategy may overshadow his other strategies.
Resolvingimmigrant's woes:
President Joe Biden onday one of his administration bring an Immigration Plan that is said to churnsweeping changes. As per reports published in The Associated Press, Bidenadministration is likely to propose 8 year path to citizenship for 11 millionpeople who are living in America without any legal status. The new policy willbe in conflict with Trump's policy that was governed by mass deportations andrestrictive immigration norms. The Republicans however were of the view thatrestrictive norms were essential for enhanced border security.
The bill is likely to betabled after Joe Biden is inaugurated as the President of America today, January 20.Biden had called Trump's action as an "unrelenting attack" on thevalues of America and he was supposed to "undo the damage." With thecoming of a new law, those living in US as of January 1, 2021 will have a fiveyear path to receive green card or temporary legal status after theirbackground checks. Some immigrants, young people who came to America aschildren, agriculture workers and those who are under temporary protectivestatus are set to benefit from the new immigration plan. They will qualify moreeasily if they are working in America or in school.
However, as per the articlepublished in The Associated Press, the bill is not as comprehensive as it wasin the Obama administration when Biden was Vice President. The bill address theroot causes of migration from Central America to the US. It also providesgrants for workforce development and English language learning.
Biden isexpected to reverse Trump's order on the prohibition of entry or arrivals ofimmigrants from possibly Muslim dominated countries. Trump had banned Muslim entry first time on January 27, 2017. It was expanded in January 2020. President Biden is likely to repeal the Muslim law on his first day in the office.
Stemmingpolarization & fragmentation:
America like many othercountries across the planet is a fragmented and polarized society. The fabricof its democracy is weakened by the conspiracy theories ranging from QAnon,Wayfair and Pizzagate among others to the policies of Donald Trump. Trumpism isnot going to wither away. It is here to stay. Many people in America stillbelieve in so called stolen elections. While race relations matter and theyhave come to light since 'Black Lives Matter' protests as a renaissance momentin the history of America.
It won't be easy to win backthe lost trust in this post truth age because many have become victims ofagenda setting and they are happy in their echo chambers and filter everyinformation that might help in evolution.
The recent attack or a siegeattempt of the US Capitol building on January 6 is a stark naked reality of thenew America where Trump's 'Make America great again' promise rings hollow. Suhas Palshikar in an article written in The Indian Express said, "The most elementary lesson is about the fragility ofdemocracy. The US experience indicates that democracy requires continuouscaution. Just as there is nothing like a naturally pro-democratic socialenvironment, there is also nothing like a natural assurance of democracy’ssustenance. Both are matters of collective social will and effort."
Whatit means for India?
US-India relations aregrowing considerably since last decade. As Prime Minister Modi organized 'NamasteTrump' and Trump called Modi for 'Howdy Modi', the relations between both thecountries seem to be at a better trajectory. However, one should not turn aNelson's eye to ulterior motives of the super-power because American soldierswon't fight for India against China. The support from American administrationwould mean India can effectively push the dragon out of the boundary.
Moreover, with VicePresident Harris having roots in India and many Indian-Americans in theadministration, it seems to be a historic moment for Indians. Dealing withChina is both at the priority of India as well as of America because it hasbecome very aggressive and it is challenging the power of America. India is setto benefit economically and militarily with the Indo-American joint operationsin the coming future if all goes well.
Biden administration islikely to be critical of Modi's policies on Kashmir as well as on thecitizenship law. Biden and Harris both will try to keep a check on the humanrights violations in India.
Whatit means for Pakistan?
As the US withdraws fromAfghanistan, its renewed interests in the region might nudge it to look towardsPakistan. However, with Biden as a President, the changes cannot be drastic. AbdulBasti wrote an article in Al-Jazeera. He wrote, " For20 years, the war in Afghanistan shaped US-Pakistan ties. At a time when thisdynamic is expected to change, Biden’s presence in the White House can help theforeign policy establishment in Islamabad forge new partnerships withWashington based on the two nation’s mutual geopolitical and economicinterests."
As America has an interestto suppress China's Belt and Road initiative, its interests are inclinedtowards Indo-pacific. Biden and Harris administration is going to be criticalabout the human-rights violations, mistreatment of minorities in the region.
Whatit means for china?
As far as China and Americanrelations are concerned, they are at an all time low. The new President willtry to keep the aggressive China under its control but it won't employ moreaggressive policies. It was evident that Trump used to make hasty comments. Onecannot expect hasty resolution or implementation of policies from Bidenadministration. Biden won't be too aggressive on the part of China. However, itwill try to balance in the region by strengthening India.
Renewedvigor in UN
With new administration atthe helm, it will have a strong voice in the international organization.Rejoining the Paris accord and checking climate change will be the priority. Itwill also have a strong role in handling of the World Health Organizationissues.