When Kamala Harris was sworn in as vice president in the U.S., residents in her maternal family’s ancestral village in southern India watched in real time, setting off fireworks, holding up portraits of her and wishing her a long life.
However, four years later, as she works to become the Democratic nominee for president after President Joe Biden ended his campaign, the reaction across the country has been more subdued. While some residents in the capital, New Delhi, expressed pride when asked about her this week, a few were unsure of who she was.
Part of this lack of enthusiasm could be attributed to how Harris, who is also Black with a father from Jamaica, has chosen to highlight her Jamaican heritage over her Indian roots.
As vice president, she has occasionally shared stories of her connections to India, but her policy focus has mainly been domestic and not centered on relations with India.
Despite this, if Harris were to become the Democratic nominee, it would mark a historic moment for the South Asian American community and show their progress in the U.S., according to experts.
While Harris has not heavily emphasized her Indian identity, her rise to prominence, along with other political figures of Indian descent, has shone a light on India beyond its cultural stereotypes.
Although the impact of a potential Harris presidency on India-U.S. relations is likely to be minimal, it would still be a significant and proud moment for Indians worldwide to see someone of Indian ancestry in such a high office.
In Thulasendrapuram, the village where Harris’ maternal family once lived, residents are thrilled by the news and have even performed prayers at the local temple in celebration of her potential achievement.