The people of Thulasendrapuram, a village in southern India, are showing their support for Kamala Harris, whose maternal grandparents were born there, by displaying banners and planning celebrations if she wins the presidential election. Harris’ historic run for vice president in 2020 as the first woman, first Black American, and first Asian American created excitement in the village and among Indian Americans, highlighting India’s growing economic and geopolitical influence. Harris has maintained her ties to India throughout her life, visiting often with her family. The villagers in Thulasendrapuram have been vocal in their support for Harris, displaying portraits of her and holding celebrations for her election as vice president. Other Indian Americans have also made strides in American politics, with several elected officials at different levels. The Indian diaspora in the U.S. is significant and tends to vote Democratic, which could impact the outcome of the election in battleground states where Indian American populations are larger than the margin of victory in the last election. However, questions about Harris’ racial identity raised by former President Trump highlight the challenges she may face in her campaign. While the villagers in Thulasendrapuram eagerly await the election results, experts note that Harris’ foreign policy experience may be limited, suggesting that her presidency may not lead to significant changes in U.S.-India relations.
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Harris’ ancestral village in India celebrates and supports the ‘daughter of this land’
