New York: 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. Apictorial 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.
Indian-Americans have traditionally supported the Democratic Party and Trump too has been wooing the strong community to make a dent in this vote bank. In a campaign ad, Trump borrowed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's winning slogan of the 2014 general polls and said "Ab ki Baar Trump Sarkar."
Chicago-based Indian-American industrialist Shalabh Kumar, founder of the Republican Hindu Coalition, organised a rally in New Jersey last month in support of Trump, who had said at the event that he is a "big fan of Hindus" and of India.
Taking a dig at Trump's remarks to Hindus at the rally, Chatwal said it is easy to talk in such a manner but "India is not only for Hindus, India has Sikhs, Christians, Muslims and Buddhists.
"Trump has to understand that. India has a large Muslim population, Trump does not know that. Talk is cheap but it is difficult to deliver," Chatwal said.
Urging the Indian-American community to exercise their electoral right, he said each vote will count on November 8.
Chatwal also slammed Trump for his views on immigration, saying his policies will rip familiesapartand separate children from their parents.
He also cited a meeting between the Clintons and Modi when the prime minister visited the US in 2014, saying the they will take the bilateral ties to greater heights.
He added that the two nations can work together in areas of technology, infrastructure and defence.
Chatwal said prominent Indian-Americans such as wellness guru Deepak Chopra has voiced his support for Clinton. He said industrialist Sunil Mittal too has written to him voicing his endorsement for Clinton.
Later in the day, Chatwal was joined by former chief of medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital and community leader, Bhupi Patel, and prominent hotelier and former commissioner in President Clinton's White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Mike Patel, for a press conference, declaring support for Clinton.
Patel said immigration, healthcare and education were the most critical issues for the Indian-American community and Clinton has strong policies in these areas that will benefit the community and its children.
Patel said the community has to decide who will be an "inclusive" leader for its children and who will "judge us by the color of our skin."
He said Trump talks about isolating the US and insults women and handicapped people. "How can you have a leader who damages global relations. America cannot afford to get isolated, you cannot discriminate against minorities."
Patel said Clinton is an "inclusive" leader who has "not come to us just in the last six months" but has worked for the community for the last few decades.
Urging the community to go out and vote, he said "we have to have a seat at the table and have our issues heard and addressed. It is very important for the minority community to be involved in the political process. We have to make our presence felt."
"We need somebody who understands India, Indian culture. Why go looking for someone you dont know. We know what Obama and the Democratic party have done for India and we should stay with that," he said.
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