Former Diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu Joins BJP, Likely To Contest Amritsar Lok Sabha Seat

Former Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu joined the BJP amid speculation that the BJP may field him from the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming general elections.

Former Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday in the presence of General Secretaries Vinod Tawde and Tarun Chugh as well as National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Amid speculation that the BJP may field him from the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming general elections, he expressed the importance of extending development to his hometown Amritsar.

Following his formal induction, Taranjit Singh Sandhu highlighted the advancement of the India-US relationship, emphasising development across various sectors, including the semiconductor industry, "In the last 10 years, I have worked closely with PM Modi's leadership, especially in the relationship with the United States and Sri Lanka. The relationship with the US changed into a partnership in the last four years. It became about a win-win situation. America's investment in India is increasing."

"PM Modi is development-focused. Even India-US relations are development-focused," he added. 

Sandhu stressed he hoped to bring development to his hometown Amritsar citing advancements in education in the holy city.

"Development is very much needed today and PM Modi's policies for development should reach Amritsar too. So, I thank the party president (JP Nadda), the Prime Minister, Home Minister (Amit Shah) who encouraged me for the new path of service to the nation that I am entering. I thank them from my heart," the former US envoy remarked.

Taranjit Singh Sandhu On Contesting Lok Sabha Election 2024

Speaking to news agency ANI, Taranjit Singh Sandhu said, "I am concerned that Amritsar should not miss the opportunities the country is getting... The party will decide if I will contest the elections or not. My hometown Amritsar has a lot of potential and I am very affectionate towards it..."

Welcoming Sandhu into the party, Vinod Tawde lauded his contributions as an ambassador to the United States and a High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. "I believe his whole family has contributed to Punjab's development. His father contributed to the foundation of Guru Nanak Dev High School. His grandfather has also held a tall stature in the state," he said.

Tawde went on to remark, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to bring a new direction of development to Punjab, and he wants to run schemes for the brothers and sisters of Punjab, in these efforts, someone with international experience will strengthen the party."

Welcoming the former diplomat to the BJP, Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated, "Our close association gives me fullest confidence that you will continue contributing to the nation’s development and progress."

Taranjit Singh Sandhu's Diplomatic Career

Sandhu, a seasoned diplomat, served as India's Ambassador to the United States from February 2020 to January 2024. With extensive experience in US affairs, he previously held positions at the Indian Mission in Washington DC. Before his tenure in Washington DC, Sandhu served as the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka from January 2017 to January 2020.

Before that, he served at the High Commission of India in Colombo as the Head of the Political Wing from December 2000 to September 2004. Sandhu also held the position of Consul General of India in Frankfurt from September 2011 to July 2013. 

Within the Ministry of External Affairs, Sandhu served in various capacities, including as Joint Secretary (UN) from March 2009 to August 2011, and later as Joint Secretary (Administration), overseeing the Human Resource Division. Additionally, he worked as an Officer on Special Duty (Press Relations) at the Ministry of External Affairs from December 1995 to March 1997.

Born on January 23, 1963, Sandhu completed his education at The Lawrence School, Sanawar, and obtained a degree in History Honors from St. Stephens' College, Delhi. He pursued a Master’s Degree in International Relations at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Sandhu commenced his diplomatic career in the former Soviet Union (Russia), serving as Third Secretary (Political) / Second Secretary (Commercial) at the Indian Mission from 1990 to 1992. 

Punjab, Sandhu's home state, comprises 11 Lok Sabha seats, where the BJP won two seats in the 2019 General elections.

Notably, Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, a Congress leader, had defeated BJP's Hardeep Singh Puri by nearly 1 lakh votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.