New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- Veteran diplomats are analysing the historic midterm election defeat of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, attributing the severe voter backlash to mounting economic hardship, contentious foreign policies, and aggressive responses to domestic protests.

Former senior diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar characterised the Democratic sweep of Congress as a historic blow to the sitting administration.

"Democrats were always expected to do well, but this is historic. I don't think there was such a result except for the midterms that took place during Clinton's term," Sajjanhar noted. "This is a huge blow to Donald Trump because across the board, the people seem to have gone against him."

Former diplomat Veena Sikri id...