I have known President-elect Joe Biden since 1984. During the period from 1984 to 1990, I served as Singapore's Ambassador to the United States. I called often on Senator Biden, who was a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I found him to be knowledgeable and friendly. It helped that he had enormous respect for Singapore's founding prime minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

Then President Barack Obama respected Mr Biden's knowledge of foreign affairs. He delegated to his vice-president responsibility for Iraq, Ukraine and Latin America. With his experience and vast network of influential friends, Mr Biden is well prepared for the presidency and the challenges of America's foreign relations.