Washington: With opinion polls predicting a Democratic Party defeat in the mid-term polls, the White House has ruled out any change in President Barack Obama's foreign policy as a long-term India watcher said a Republican- dominated Congress is unlikely to affect India-US ties.
"When it comes to our foreign policy, the President is committed to ensuring that American influence around the globe is a force for good and used in a way that strengthens the security and stability of the United States of America," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.
Days after the election results, Obama leaves for his three-nation Asia-Pacific tour that will take him to Myanmar, China and Australia.
Either in Myanmar or Australia, he is also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first after their maiden meeting at the White House on September 30.
Given that India-US relationship has bipartisan support, Ron Somers, a long time India watcher said, a Republican victory would have no impact on Washington's relationship with New Delhi.
In fact India could be one of the few foreign policy areas where the Republicans and Democrats could agree upon.
Two powerful Republicans - Senator John Cornyn and Congressman Ed Royce -- in the new establishment are well known friends of India.
"John Cornyn, a stalwart supporter of India and Head of the India Caucus in the senate on Capitol Hill, will gain support for pro-India momentum. Ed Royce, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs ?- is also a true friend of India, whose hands will be strengthened," Somers told PTI.
"Whatever the outcome of mid-term elections tomorrow, ever since the recent and successful visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States in September, there is a palpable, ever-growing interest in India that is rising among corporates and political leaders alike," he said.
The White House yesterday put up a brave front, despite latest opinion polls showing that Republicans taking over the Senate and increasing their majority power in the House of Representatives after the polls.
"The President continues to believe that the argument shapes up well for Democrats in this election. Some of that is because the President has played an important role in making that argument. But ultimately, it's up to these individual candidates to make the case for themselves," Earnest said.
"Many of those candidates I think will make a case about their commitment to fighting for policies that benefit middle-class families," he said.
