NEW YORK (I. S. Saluja): Padma Bhushan Sant Chatwal, one of the Indian Americans who was instrumental in US signing a nuclear deal with India, recalled the great contribution of Joe Biden in sealing the deal.

Speaking with The Indian Panorama editor Prof. Indrajit S Saluja over phone, November 19, Mr. Chatwal said Joe Biden as President will prove to be a great friend of India. He recalled Biden’s keen interest in growing ties with India back in 2006 when the nuclear deal between US and India was being finalized. Mr. Chatwal also mentioned the great understanding between the then Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh and Joe Biden who was the Vice President. “I remember, Biden was the first one who came forward to ink the nuclear power deal with India because he said the deal was in the interest of both the US and India. Mr. Chatwal said that India will have a much closer relationship with Biden and Harris, which will usher a big change all over the world. Chatwal also described Biden as a good friend of himself, India, and the Indian-Americans.

“At this stage, we needed peace, we don’t want a war, and Joe Biden is a person who will bring peace all over the world. He will bring great trade agreements. He will bring COVID-19 under control, and he can revive economy and take it to the top.  He said that Biden was looking forward to a great relationship with current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as he had  with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. “I am so proud of him and Kamala Harris, who are a great team. Harris is the first woman to become the Vice President, and the first woman who is of Indian origin, as her mother is from India,” Mr. Chatwal, a prominent hotelier of America said.

The Democratic presidential candidate defeated President Donald Trump in a closely contested election and will be the 46th president of the United States, come January 20, 2021.