Donald Trump's return: S Jaishankar talks about long-term trend in US foreign policy

S Jaishankar

External affairs minister S Jaishankar said Wednesday that the US election is unlikely to alter the country’s cautious foreign policy stance. At an event in Canberra, as voting was still underway in the US, Jaishankar highlighted what he referred to as a long-standing trend in American policy.

"Probably starting from (President Barack) Obama the US has become much more cautious about its global commitments," he said, adding that President Trump may be more articulate and expressive in that regard.

The EAM also stated that it is crucial to assess American policy through a national viewpoint, rather than focusing only on the ideological stance of the current administration.

"If we are truly analysing them, I think we have to prepare for a world where actually the kind of dominance and generosity which the US had in the early days may not continue," he said.

Having said this, Jaishankar stated on Tuesday that India's relationship with the United States is set to strengthen in the future.

Meanwhile, in one of the most remarkable political comebacks in American history, former President Donald Trump claimed victory on Wednesday, earning a second term by surpassing Democratic rival Kamala Harris in a bitter election battle.

The 78-year-old Republican leader cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency by securing a victory in the key battleground state of Wisconsin.

According to races called by the Associated Press up to 4 pm (IST), 277 electoral votes had gone to Republican candidate Trump and 224 to Democratic Party's Harris.

(With inputs from agencies)