Joe Biden has picked Indian-origin Senator Kamala Devi Harris as his running mate, recognising the crucial role Black voters

Washington: Joe Biden has picked Indian-origin Senator Kamala Devi Harris as his running mate, recognising the crucial role Black voters could play in his determined bid to defeat President Donald Trump in the US presidential election in November.

By naming the 55-year-old lawyer and politician from California as his running mate, Biden made history by selecting the first Black woman to compete on a major party's presidential ticket.

Kamala HarrisHarris, whose father is an African from Jamaica and mother an Indian, is currently the US Senator from California and has been described as a trailblazer by former president Barack Obama.

Biden, 77, made the announcement in a text message to his supporters.

"Joe Biden here. I've chosen Kamala Harris as my running mate. Together, with you, we're going to beat Trump. Add your name to welcome her to the team, Biden said in his message.

Joe BidenBiden said Harris will be the best partner for him to finally get the country back on track.

He described her as "a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country's finest public servants".

He noted how she had worked closely with his late son, Beau, when she was California's attorney general.

"I was proud then, and I'm proud now to have her as my partner in this campaign."

Kamala Harris tweet

Harris later tweeted: "I'm honored to join him as our party's nominee for Vice President, and do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief."

If elected she would be the first ever women to be the vice president of the US and the first ever Indian-American and African vice president of the country.