Why India's Fervour For Kamala Harris Is Fading And The Rise Of Surveillance Infrastructure

Recent developments have highlighted two significant trends in India: the cooling of enthusiasm for Kamala Harris and the expansion of the country’s surveillance infrastructure.

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Waning Support for Kamala Harris

A Washington Post article by Karishma Mehrotra and Anika Arora Seth, titled “How India’s Warm Embrace of Kamala Harris Grew Chilly,” explores the shift in sentiment towards Kamala Harris, who initially captivated India with her heritage and public engagements. Harris, as Joe Biden’s running mate in the 2020 presidential election, embraced her South Asian roots through a viral cooking video with Mindy Kaling and a memoir that delved into her background. As Vice President, she continued to celebrate her heritage, hosting Diwali events at the White House.

However, India’s enthusiasm has notably cooled. Harsh V. Pant of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) remarked to the Washington Post, “There is no real warmth for her in India.” Analysts attribute this change to Harris’s perceived detachment from her Indian heritage and her critical remarks on Indian democracy and human rights. These factors have led to a sense of disillusionment among her Indian supporters.

Expansion of Surveillance Infrastructure