Donald Trump India Impact, Donald Trump US Election Victory Impact, Trump Win Meaning For India: The United States and the world are all set to witness 'Donald Trump Season 2' at the White House after he won the US Presidential Elections 2024. Democrats' Kamala Harris secured 224 electoral colleges, while Republicans' Donald Trump won 270 - the majority mark. With this, Donald Trump will be the second Republican to get a second term in office in 20 years. George Bush, a Republican, was president from 2001 to 2009. Notably, after Trump's victory, PM Modi was among the first global leaders who congratulated him over a phone call. As per Times of India, Trump too called India a magnificent country and Modi a 'magnificent man'. However, keeping the Trump-Modi camaraderie aside, the question arises what are the five changes that are expected to come to India after Trump's victory? Below is a breakdown of it-
1) Trump's 'America First' slogan to hurt H1B Visa policy & impact India?
As per reports, with the return of Trump to the White House, his government can tighten H-1B visa rules, impacting costs and growth for Indian IT firms. As per NDTV, over 80 percent of India's IT export earnings come from the US, making it vulnerable to changes in visa policies. The US is India's largest trading partner, accounting for over USD 190 billion of annual trade.
For the unversed, the H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows companies in the US to hire foreign workers to work in fields such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and IT. Only 85,000 H-1B visas are issued every year, out of which 20,000 visas are reserved for students studying in the US. The H-1B visa is given through a lottery system, due to which many times even qualified candidates miss out on getting it.
US President-elect Donald Trump has described the H-1B visa as 'very bad' and 'unfair' for American workers. During Donald Trump's first term, an attempt was made to tighten the H-1B visa program. There is every possibility that major changes can be seen regarding visas in Donald Trump's government. During its previous term, Donald Trump's government worked to increase the minimum salary standard required to obtain an H-1B visa to the level of an American employee. However, this proposal of the government was later stopped.
2) Donald Trump to fasten green card for Indian students?
Donald Trump in a podcast has proposed the idea of 'automatic Green Cards' for foreign students graduating from US colleges. In the podcast, Trump expressed support for granting Green Cards as part of diplomas, emphasizing the retention of talent in the United States. He underscored the economic potential lost when highly educated individuals return to their home countries, such as India and China, to start businesses that could otherwise thrive in the US.
3) India-US to be on tariff war under Donald Trump?
One major concern may erupt during Trump's second tenure at the White House especially with India. Donald Trump in October 2024 was quoted saying that among all major countries, India imposes the highest tariffs on foreign products. The Republican presidential candidate vowed to introduce a reciprocal tax if elected as the next President of the United States.
Charging India for its high tariff rates, Donald Trump said, “Perhaps the most important element of my plan to make America extraordinarily wealthy again is reciprocity. It's a word that's very important in my plan because we generally don't charge tariffs."
4) Support to India on violence against Hindus in Bangladesh
Notably, the Biden-Harris administration kept a soft stance on the multiple violent cases on religious minorities in Bangladesh after the regime change. Donald Trump on October 31 took to his X handle and wrote, "I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos.
It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength!
We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi.
Kamala Harris will destroy your small businesses with more regulations and higher taxes. By contrast, I cut taxes, cut regulations, unleashed American energy, and built the greatest economy in history. We will do it again, bigger and better than ever before—and we will Make America Great Again. Also, Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil!"
5) Donald Trump's return may change Canada's stance
Since, Donald Trump shares a close bond with PM Modi, the US under Trump may shift its support towards India amid diplomatic tensions with Trudeau-led Canada. Republican Hindu Coalition, Shalabh Shalli Kumar in an interview with a newswire assured that Trump as US President will crack down on the Khalistan issue.