Former Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu to contest Lok Sabha seat from Amritsar

Former Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu is set to enter the political arena by contesting the Lok Sabha seat from the Amritsar constituency in Punjab. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced Sandhu’s candidacy on Saturday, following his recent retirement from the Indian Foreign Service in January.

The election in Punjab is scheduled for June 1, marking the last day of the seven-phase polling across the country.

Sandhu expressed his gratitude on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, stating, “I am grateful to Sri Guru Ram Das Ji 🙏🏻 for being announced by the Central Election Committee of the BJP as a candidate from the Lok Sabha to serve the people of Sri #Amritsar Sahib’s constituency for the #LokSabhaElections2024. Grateful to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji, Party President Shri J.P. Nadda Ji, Punjab BJP President Shri Sunil Jakhar Ji, and the entire @BJP4India leadership.”

I am grateful to Sri Guru Ram Das Ji 🙏🏻 for being announced by the Central Election Committee of the BJP as candidate from the Lok Sabha to serve the people of Sri #Amritsar Sahib's constituency for the #LokSabhaElections2024.
Grateful to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji… pic.twitter.com/5M6ySrbW8I

— Taranjit Singh Sandhu (ਮੋਦੀ ਦਾ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ) (@SandhuTaranjitS) March 31, 2024

Sandhu’s entry into politics follows a trend of former diplomats transitioning to political roles within the ruling BJP. Notably, his former boss and predecessor as the Indian Ambassador of India, S. Jaishankar, currently serves as the External Affairs Minister in the Narendra Modi government, while former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Hardeep Singh Puri holds the position of Minister of Urban Development.

The state of Punjab has 13 Lok Sabha seats, with Amritsar’s constituency currently represented by Gurjeet Singh Aujla of the Congress Party.

Sandhu’s diplomatic career spanned 35 years, with notable stints in Washington. During his ambassadorship from February 2020 to January 2024, Sandhu facilitated high-level bilateral visits, including multiple trips by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States and then-President Donald Trump’s visit to India in 2020. Notably, he spearheaded the planning for Modi’s state visit to Washington in June 2023.

Originally set to retire in January 2023, Sandhu’s tenure was extended by one year to coincide with Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to the United States at the invitation of President Joe Biden.

READ: India’s envoy to US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, presents credentials to President Trump (February 7, 2020)

Sandhu’s extensive diplomatic experience also includes serving as the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and holding key positions at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations and the Consulate General of India in Frankfurt.

Born on January 23, 1963, Sandhu comes from a family of educationists and boasts an impressive academic background, including a master’s degree in international relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.

A hello and a good-bye: Indian Americans welcome Sarna, bid farewell to Sandhu (December 6, 2016)

Sandhu is married to Reenat Sandhu, who currently serves as the Ambassador of India to the Netherlands. They have two children.