New York: Can there be two women of Indian origin vying for the US presidential nominations from two opposing parties?

That’s in the realm of possibility, distant as it may seem, with Nikki Haley, the daughter of a turban-wearing Sikh immigrant from India, dropping a hint that she may seek the Republican nomination, but it also depends on the 80-year-old President Joe Biden deciding not to seek a second term opening a path for Vice President Kamala Harris to run for the Democratic Party nomination.

So far Biden has said that he is in for another term and will make a final decision with his family early next year. The first person of Indian-American descent to serve on the US cabinet, Nikki Haley said in November that she will look at a run for the presidency “in a serious way” and “will have more say soon”.

With a touch of bravado, she added: “For now, I’ll say this. I’ve won tough primaries and tough general elections. I’ve been the underdog every single time. When people underestimate me, it’s always fun. But I’ve never lost an election and I’m not going to start now. I’m ready for the road ahead.”

She spoke at a meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) in Las Vegas, Nevada, which was the first major Republican political gathering after former President Donald Trump had announced his run for the presidency. Trump also addressed the meeting as did others who may run against him like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.