What does Joe Biden victory in US Elections mean to India?

On November 7, 2020, Joe Biden was declared the winner of the US Election, 2020. He is to become 46th President of the United States beating Donald Trump.

Joe Biden for India

Biden had played a key role in strengthening the relations between India and the US as a Vice President and also as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In 2006 he had announced that it is his dream that in 2020 India and US will be the closes nations in the world.

As a senator, when Obama hesitated to support the Indo-US nuclear deal, Biden openly declared his support. HE worked with the Democrats and Republicans to approve the deal.

Defence

The Obama-Biden administration named India as “Major Defence Partner”. This status made it easier for India and US to share advanced and critical technologies. This strengthened Indian Defence System largely.

In 2016, at the fag end of the Obama administration, the countries signed LEMOA, Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement. It was the initiation of deeper military cooperation. Also, it is the first of the three foundational pacts that the US signs with its defence partner.

Immigration and Visas for Indians

This was a major concern for Indians during the Trump administration. Biden has promised to increase the number of visas offered for work-based immigration and also reform the temporary visa system. Also, he had promised to support family-based immigration.

Article 370 and NRC

Biden was disappointed with India’s steps towards National Register Citizens and the passage of Citizenship (amendment) act. India is expected to receive strong comments in these areas during Biden’s Presidency.

About Biden

He had been a strong supporter of the 2001 war in Afghanistan. He also supported the US-led invasion of Iraq. In 1991, he opposed the Gulf war. He will be the oldest president when he takes charge in January 2021.