Hillary Clinton best to boost India-US ties: Indian-American hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal

Hillary Clinton is the “best” presidential candidate to boost Indo-US ties as she understands India and its culture well, Indian-American hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal has said while questioning her rival Donald Trump’s ability “to run a country”.

Chatwal, who has been a longtime friend of the Clintons, said the former secretary of state has stood with India and the Indian-American community on vital issues like immigration and supported the India-US nuclear deal.

“Clinton understands India, the Indian culture. Indian-Americans should vote for the candidate who will grow India-US relations. A Clinton presidency will be great for the growth of the relationship between the two nations,” Chatwal told PTI in an interview here.

The chairman of the groups Indian-Americans for Democrats and Friends of Hillary for President said Republican candidate Trump does not know India and “does not have the experience to run a country and deal with the world.”

Chatwal, who has been a financial supporter for Clinton in her previous campaigns for the Senate, said though Trump has been a “very successful businessman”, he however has filed for bankruptcy thrice and even avoided paying taxes by reporting nearly a billion dollars in losses.

He said a Trump presidency will be catastrophic for  the markets and wipe out trillions of dollars from US economy.

“If Trump becomes President, the market will drop by 25 per cent, four-five trillion dollars will be lost. I’m very much worried about that,” he said.

“Trump does not know much about India. Talk is very cheap but you have got to deliver and Clinton can deliver,” he said citing her efforts during India-US nuclear deal negotiations.

“The next US president should be great for India and for Indian-Americans,” Chatwal said adding that Clinton has an impressive track record and 30 years’ experience of working in public life, from being the first lady, a senator to the secretary of state.

“For India and the Indian-American community, Clinton is the best candidate to be US president. She has much more knowledge and experience. Running a country is not easy and we need somebody as president who has experience, will focus on economic growth and move the nation forward for a better future of our children.

“The Indian-American community has to make a choice and see who is the best person for taking forward the India-US relationship and who will be best for the economy. Running a country is very very difficult and you need experience. You do not want someone to make ad hoc decisions, push the nuclear button,” he said.

A pictorial collage titled ‘Hillary-Chatwal since 1991’ was displayed at Chatwal’s luxurious hotel in Manhattan. It has photos of Clinton and Chatwal and their families together at various social and political gatherings over the years.

Chatwal cited the Clintons’ close ties with India, including the trips they made to the country starting from when Bill Clinton was president.

“The Clintons opened the doors for improving India-US relations,” he said.