Several observers and critics have opined that President Biden does not hold a good perception of India. How come you were able to convince him of the Indian requirement for vaccines?

A. It was a very challenging experience as we had to use all our own resources and personal connections developed over the years to come up with a result-oriented strategy. The 2020 presidential elections and the Indian diaspora having their own choices along with certain sections of the community trying to continuously paint a negative image of India has made our task very difficult but it did not deter our sustained efforts to come to India’s aid.

There was a stiff competition from other countries also making out their cause for the US donated vaccines. It is to the credit of the US Congressman Danny Davis who inspired me to lead the crusade for getting vaccines to India at any odds and it was the inspiring leadership of Jackson who was constantly engaged in dialogue with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’s office from May 7 to June 1 that resulted in the US allowing vaccines to India. The meeting we had with the Indian Ambassador in the US, Taranjit Sandhu along with India’s Deputy Chief of mission SudhakarDalela on May 21 at Washington DC and the constant encouragement and feedback from India’s Consul General in Chicago, Amit Kumar, played a vital role in this initiative. At the end of the day, it is the community activated diplomacy that succeeded against all odds and criticisms.