GOPsmacked! What will the rout mean for India-US ties?

US President Donald Trump/Image: Reuters

What impact will the Grand Old Party's defeat have on India? Here's a look at some key areas:

Trade Deal: Indian negotiators may get more manoeuvring space in negotiating a trade deal, but Trump still has powers for executive action under the Trade Act to impose tariffs.

Strategic Partnership: The impact on India-US strategic ties will likely be more subtle than disruptive. With Trump retaining executive control over US foreign policy, India will need to guard against further complication of the West Asia conflict.

Visa Rules: The Dem victory is unlikely to bring immediate policy relief for Indian tech professionals or employers. Experts, however, argue it could help temper anti-immigrant sentiment, creating a more favourable environment for skilled immigration and potentially laying the groundwork for policy changes in the longer term.

More Interference By Dems? Winning control of both houses of Congress is likely to see Democrats like Pramila Jayapal seek to play a greater role and interfere in Indian affairs. This may have ramifications for relations between the two countries amid the ups and downs witnessed during the Trump era.