WASHINGTON: Joe biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, have the best understanding of the Indian-American community, said diaspora leaders who support the two Democratic candidates, describing the president of the United States. Donald trump as an “enemy” criticizing India on the world stage.
With less than a fortnight to go until the November 3 presidential election, Indian-Americans claimed on Friday that Biden, first as a U.S. senator and later as the vice president, has a strong track record of helping the community.
Trump, a Republican, is being challenged by Biden in the US presidential election.
“After four years of the Trump administration, we know that our children and grandchildren will not have the same opportunities as us. We need a leader who understands our community, our values, our pride and appreciates our hard work and provides equal opportunity and a voice in his administration, ”he said. Ajay Jain Bhutoria, entrepreneur from Silicon Valley.
Bhutoria said that Biden and Harris are the leaders who will get the country out of this mess and restore its soul, revive the middle-class economy, and restore America’s leadership on the world stage and the best relationship with India.
Referring to the final presidential debate between Trump and Biden on Friday, Bhutoria said the president criticized India on the world stage.
“The community understands who is the true friend of India, who is the enemy. Trump is an enemy. More recently on the debate stage saying: India’s COVID-19 numbers cannot be trusted and India is dirty. He has suspended the H1 visa program, jeopardized trade agreements with India and used the friendship of (Indian Prime Minister Narendra) Modi just to take pictures, “he alleged.
During the final presidential debate, Trump accused China, India and Russia of not taking care of their “dirty air” by justifying the US withdrawal from the historic Paris climate agreement.
“Biden celebrated Diwali with (former) President Obama in the White House and at his residence. The former vice president has a deep connection to the Indian-American community and India. Biden understands the values of Indian Americans. In his recent op-ed, he shares how he felt deeply connected to the Indian community and the values of the Indian community, ”he said.
Indian Americans share deep connections with Biden and Kamala Harris, he said. According to a recent poll, 80 percent of the Indian-American community lags far behind Biden and Harris.
“Native Americans understand that because of the way they share their values with Biden and Harris, (they) think that (US President Donald) Trump does not share their values and has failed and is leading America down the wrong path,” he said Bhutoria.
Ash Kalra, a member of the California State Assembly, said he has known Senator Harris and her sister Maya for more than two decades.
“Kamala’s pride in her Indian heritage runs as deep as her love for her late mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris. Kamala speaks fondly of her travels to India as a child and connects many of the ideals she fights for as an elected leader with the Indian values of her education, ”she said.
“With Joe Biden, a leader who over the course of his long career has demonstrated his deep understanding of the needs of the Indian community, Kamala Harris will reaffirm our future President’s commitment to our needs. The entire Indian community will be well represented with her as our next Vice President, “said Kalra.
Aditi Pal with Desi Blue said the community has always known Biden as a friend from India.
“Seven years ago, as Vice President, he told business leaders in Mumbai that the US-India partnership was the defining relationship of the 21st century. As a senator, he was instrumental in passing India’s Civil Nuclear Accord. And it was during the Obama-Biden administration that the two countries saw their best years for the Indo-US relationship. Choosing Joe for Kamala Harris also gave us immigrants from India a sense of pride, ”said Pal.
“Joe’s humility and inclusiveness is evident when he tells immigrants ‘thank you for choosing America,’” he said.
According to Ashok Bhatt, a businessman and former California Water Commissioner, Democrats in the Obama-Biden administration prioritized India. When Narendra Modi became prime minister, Obama-Biden welcomed him and opened economic areas and visas to students and tourists. H1 visas got so liberal and India benefited the most from them.
“I believe that the Biden-Kamala team will be great for Indian-American relations and the economies of both countries will flourish,” Bhatt said.
Biden is deeply connected to the Indian-American community. As vice president, Biden strengthened relations with India and Indian-Americans, said Neha Dewan, from South Asia to Biden.
“The Obama-Biden administration has appointed Indian-Americans to high-level ambassadors and cabinets, and as judges. Biden has consistently recognized Americans of Indian descent, “Dewan said.
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