American Elections 2020: A new chain of hope for South Asia
American elections, the leading topic in current affairs, was conducted on 3rd November this year. Joseph R. Biden, 46th president-elect, achieved the most electoral votes and overall, 75 million votes which is a historical record of the American elections. So, all happened in 2020 as the most notorious president in American history got to face a wild triumph by Joe Biden. During the four-year term of Trump's presidency, policies were being implemented against the American well which somehow created an anarchical situation not in America but as well as in the overall world. Furthermore, Joe Biden, probably 78 at the end of November, is the oldest president, and Kamala Harris, the first woman and of color, is the Vice President of the United States of America.
Biden administration will hopefully bring various changes in South Asian politics and stability among the region. Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan warmly welcomed and congratulated Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the presidency of the superpower and for a great victory. Mr. Biden is concerned to reverse the Trumpism policies that have been creating a wide difference in the world order. Likewise, Trump’s immigration policy, Muslim ban, Mexican wall, trade ban on China, etc. will be reversed as President-elect said.
The South Asian crisis, the India and Pakistan ties, are expected to be resolved. Democrats are famous for respecting human rights and as Kamala Harris hinted for resolution of ILOJK where Indian government revoked article 370 and imposed a curfew since 5th August 2019.
Earlier, in February 2008, Biden was a member of the three-senator delegation that had toured Pakistan to observe the parliamentary elections held on February 18. In October 2008, Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari announced government awards to Joe Biden, the Hilal-i-Pakistan (Crescent of Pakistan). Biden had introduced, $1.5 billion per year non-military spending to support economic development in Pakistan, a bipartisan US aid plan in July 2008.
Somehow, Biden also considers Pakistan a trustful partner because of geostrategic location, in Afghan peace deals, or for the access of the Central Asian Republics and also to counter Chinese advancement in the region. Meanwhile, Pakistan always favored the American side whether during the Trump administration or any other US president. Pakistan needs economic aids for the development and also to counter India for holding Kashmir. But Trump’s policies were diplomatic with Pakistan because he was supporting who was countering China.
The matter of concern is that Biden once said in 2016 “Were I a Jew, I’d be a Zionist. My father pointed out to me I didn’t need to be a Jew to be a Zionist. For I am”. However, this clearly shows Biden has great empathy with Israel and also Vice President Kamala Harris said that they would increase support to Israel.
The pro-Israeli ideas will be a cardinal cry for the Muslim world. But the recent tweets of the president-elect show that he will be reversing the Muslim ban policy as soon as he takes over the office. This might be a green signal if the Pakistani government achieves close ties with Biden’s administration then the Kashmir dispute might be resolved.