Washington, Sep 23 - President Barack Obama has nominated an eminent Indian American agricultural scientist to the key post of chief agriculture negotiator in the office of the US Trade Representative to represent US in crucial agricultural trade talks.

Obama Tuesday announced his intent to nominate Islam A Siddiqui, who earned his Bachelor of Science degree in plant protection from the Uttar Pradesh Agriculture University and MS and PhD degrees in plant pathology, both from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

'I am grateful for the willingness of these fine individuals to serve my administration and am confident that they will represent our nation well. I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years,' Obama said of Siddiqui and seven other key appointees.

Siddiqui is currently Vice President for Science and Regulatory Affairs at CropLife America, where he is responsible for regulatory and international trade issues related to crop protection chemicals.

Previously, Siddiqui also served as CropLife America's vice president for agricultural biotechnology and trade.