One reason why Indian Americans traditionally vote for the Democratic Party is that the rival Republicans have a flair for making serious political gaffes. Some years ago, it was Bobby Jindal who went out of his way to deny his Indian roots and say that his parents did not come to America to become “Indian Americans”. Indian roots meant little to him since they were not even a significant vote bank in an election. He eventually opted out of the presidential election. Now, will it be the turn of Nikki Haley?

She said in a recent interview with Fox News that India "distrusts" the USA, perceives America as "weak", is wary of joining any US-led alliance, and retains its ties with the Russians because that is from where a bulk of its defence supplies come.

For someone who was Ambassador to the United Nations, Haley has displayed an utter lack of knowledge and perspective about why India courts and is courted by, the Russians. A look back to the Cold War era would have educated her on how India was ranged against US military and economic aid to Pakistan and what went before, during and after 1971. If nothing else, she should have viewed the evolving Indo-US ties in the last 25 years, through both Republican and Democratic administrations. Ties that many in India applaud, but some also worry about.

But India does not appear on her political horizon. As envoy to the UN, she was known to have done some “tough talking” with the Indian leadership when she visited. This is a lesson for many in India who wrongly think an Indian American, or for that matter, an Indo-British or Indian Canadian would nurse a soft corner about India in his/her heart. No such thing. They are, and ought to be, loyal to their adopted nations.

Playing a long-term game

At the popular level, however, that ‘soft’ sentiment cannot be denied as India watches its diaspora doing well in many countries. Till they say or do things that are perceived as anti-India.

Haley, Nimrat Kaur Randhawa, born to Sikh parents in America, could have created more interest in India than she has. In ‘normal’ times in India without an election of its own, she would have generated images of a Rani of Jhansi, or Begun Razia Sultan, or of modern times, Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto or Sheikh Hasina– all women fighting or their respective causes, some successful, others martyred.

For, Nikki remains the sole challenger to former President Donald Trump as he fights to get a second term. If she succeeds, she raises prospects of becoming the first woman President of the United States of America, the world’s most powerful democracy. Contrast this with the fact that the Western world never tires of preaching democracy to others and has produced fewer women leaders when compared to Asia -- from Golda Meir to Sirimavo Bandaranaike to Aung Saan Suu Kyi.  India has a second woman serving as the present president.

Reports from America say that Trump is way ahead in winning the Republican Party nomination, and is "frustrated" that Haley does not leave the contest to make him the automatic choice. He attacks her mercilessly, even calling her names. He argues that Nikki’s parents were not born in America and that makes her ineligible to become the president. He ignores the fact that his parents came from Germany, had fled America to Germany to escape being punished by law and returned to America later. There is no bar on Nikki, or anyone contesting the election – just as Trump can, despite multiple convictions.

Nikki is not relenting. She knows she could lose in the long run and may have to withdraw. But she will go down in American history as the first woman who has given a tough time to a formidable man, with billions in his election funds. She asks how Trump can manage money, and time, for the election campaign, when he is busy fighting court cases, in which he has been convicted. It is surprising that Trump being convicted of rape and asked to pay 83 million dollars to the woman victim has not generated enough sympathy and interest, not just in India, but among women across the world.

Nikki hopes that it will, in the long run. The obvious, but unstated, reason she is in the contest is that if Trump is disqualified, and the highest court upholds that, she could be the automatic Republican candidate.  

She plays a long-term game; if she loses to Trump this year, she can still make her bid in 2028. Hence, analysts say, she is working to garner women’s vote and support. They matter in any election, anywhere, provided they are politically aroused. Will American women respond to Nikki, count her as one of them, and make her the President of the USA, now or in 2028? It is difficult to say. But if she stays in the fight, and garners the support of the Black voters, it will be worth the world’s attention and perhaps, support. However educated, independent, articulate and even prosperous, American women are the underdog in political and electoral terms. And Blacks have been discriminated against for centuries.

Comfortable with her roots

Nikki can carry with her America’s political have-nots against Trump’s support comes from the White, conservative, middle America that is insular and conservative in their thinking when compared to the country’s more advanced east and west coasts. Conservative America includes White supremacists who have little knowledge or concern for the world.

Analysts note that Nikki is attacking Trump on moral grounds, for his breaking of the law and using money to escape punishment. She attacks him for being old. At 52, she is years younger than Trump, 77, and President Biden, 81. She appeals to the young for support. This could be her constituency, now or in 2028, when she will be 56.

But she is not going all out against Trump. She does not want to offend the men whose role in American politics is predominant. She is trying something difficult in a vast country. She says she was "proud" of being Ambassador to the United Nations under Trump and agrees that many Trump policies were good. She has maintained a balance on issues of governance since she was part of the Trump administration but attacks him on political grounds. That is smart and long-term. Reports say there are powerful politicians, and not only from her Republican Party, who are desperate to keep Trump out. They are even pouring in money, which is not illegal in America. They are also making long-term investments in Nikki.

A point of interest in India should be that Nikki is quite comfortable with her Indian/Sikh heritage. But she is equally proud of her American identity, having married and raised a family with Michael, her soldier-businessman husband. The two were married at a Sikh ceremony, followed by another at Methodist Church. 

Before leaving the presidency, Barack Obama had predicted that America’s future president could be someone who is not white, or of European origin, who could be an Indian, Chinese or Vietnamese. Hence, Trump may come, but Trump and his type of political culture would have to go and make way for someone younger, a liberal who does not thrive politically on hate and aggression. This is a cyclical process in any society, more so a democratic one like America. Will Nikki Haley be the answer to such an America? Only time can tell. 

(The writer is a veteran journalist, columnist and author. Views are personal. He can be reached at mahendraved07@gmail.com)