Ex-US Envoy Taranjit Singh Sandhu To Join BJP, May Contest From Chandigarh

Former US Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), sparking speculation that he may be fielded from the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming general elections. Sandhu, who formally joined the BJP in the presence of General Secretaries Vinod Tawde and Tarun Chugh, as well as National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa, expressed his commitment to bringing development to his hometown of Amritsar.

Highlighting the progress in India-US relations during his tenure, Sandhu emphasized the importance of development across various sectors. "PM Modi is development-focused. Even India-US relations are development-focused," he said.

Sandhu expressed his hope to bring development to Amritsar, particularly in education. "Development is very much needed today, and PM Modi's policies for development should reach Amritsar too," he remarked.

Speaking to ANI, Sandhu emphasized the potential of Amritsar and his affection towards his hometown. "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," he said.

Vinod Tawde welcomed Sandhu into the party, praising his contributions as an ambassador and highlighting his family's contributions to Punjab's development. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to bring a new direction of development to Punjab... someone with international experience will strengthen the party," Tawde said.

Sandhu, a seasoned diplomat, served as India's Ambassador to the United States from February 2020 to January 2024. He has also held positions in the Indian Mission in Washington DC and served as the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka.

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.

The BJP's move to induct Sandhu comes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab, where the party won two seats in the 2019 General elections. Amritsar, a key constituency, was won by Congress leader Gurjeet Singh Aujla in 2019.