Taranjit Singh Sandhu talked to WION Correspondent Sidhant Sibal about opening of US consulate in Amritsar, comments by Pakistan businessmen, Maryam Nawaz on ties with India.

BJP Lok Sabha candidate Taranjit Singh Sandhu talks about India General Elections 2024

In a bid to bolster Amritsar's international standing and facilitate easier access for the Indian diaspora, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the -Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency- Taranjit Singh Sandhu has said that he will push for the opening up of a US consulate in Amritsar.

In a bid to bolster Amritsar's international standing and facilitate easier access for the Indian diaspora, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the -Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency- Taranjit Singh Sandhu has said that he will push for the opening up of a US consulate in Amritsar. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Sandhu, said, "I have certainly spoken to Ambassador Garcetti, and I know he will positively recommend that. I've also spoken to Dr Jaishankar. He's also been positive about that. There are statistics which support that" His proposal aims to streamline consular services for residents and diaspora members, eliminating the need for extensive travel to Delhi for documentation and visas. Sandhu, a former career diplomat who previously served as India's ambassador to the United States and India's high commissioner to Sri Lanka, is keen to bring a wealth of experience and diplomatic acumen as he makes his political foray. He joined the BJP a few weeks ago in Delhi. Responding to recent statements from Pakistan on India-Pakistan ties, Sandhu emphasised the importance of reciprocal actions and urged for the resumption of transit trade across the border. "It was not India which stopped the trade. So definitely, it's time that Pakistan also provides Most Favoured Nation treatment and open the transit across Pakistan," Sandhu stated. He also envisions Amritsar as a crucial connectivity hub, advocating for the city's role in the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor announced during the G20 summit in Delhi. Full Interview: WION: What will your focus be in Amritsar as a BJP candidate? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: Very simple and clear. Focus on the development of Amritsar. Amritsar which was one of the top 10 cities of India and today it is really lagging behind. So very simple focus, development in different parts. And if you look at Amritsar today, whether in terms of income, unemployment, in terms of industry, in terms of agriculture, terms of commerce, or even tourism and if we look at the burning issues of the people, law and order, drugs, civic, these are problems which are deeply impacting the people. WION: Someone who was part of the bureaucracy, now going into politics, how do you see this transition? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: I don't see it necessarily in a different way. I see my first as part of what you call a diplomacy career. It was a public service, connecting the countries in which I was posted to India. Politics is another platform but still, I'm connecting Amritsar with the centre, because this is a parliamentary election and also beyond. WION: How is your experience as a diplomat as ambassador, Ambassador in the US, and High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, how does it help the people of Amritsar, if you win? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: Definitely, my experience can help in enhancing incomes, and bringing in investments, and startups, which are very important for the youth. Amritsar also has 45% of the population which is 26 years and below. Connectivity as well. Connectivity again, in terms of tourism, because we have nearly one and a half lakh people coming in as visitors and converting visitors into tourists will enhance the local incomes. Technology will help in upgradation, improving productivity and second, the cargo. You know the cargo utilization in Amritsar is just 20%, there's not a single cargo flight outside. Especially for Amritsar, if it has unique circumstances. Industry, commerce, and agriculture, the incomes can rise dramatically, at least 15 to 20 times, if only we can enhance this cargo collection. WION: Punjab has the maximum diaspora including states like Kerala, the global diaspora. So many Punjabis across the world. Any plans to open new consulates in Punjab, in Amritsar so that people don't have to travel from far-off places in Punjab to Delhi or Chandigarh? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: So, there are definitely three ways I can straightaway see. One, of course, you mentioned about the consulates. The US has permission to open two consulates. I would like one of those consulates to be opened in Amritsar because as you said, a large amount of diaspora is Punjabi. Many of these visitors who come, actually come for Darshan and we can also enhance the health tourism in Amritsar and also, destination weddings in Amritsar. So, Connectivity will greatly help. I know United is very keen to fly into Amritsar and through Air Canada, and so many other airlines. And you know, we have had the International Airport here for years. WION: Have you reached out to the American side, and spoken to them? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: Well, I have certainly spoken to Ambassador Garcetti, and I know he will positively recommend that. I've also spoken to Dr. Jaishankar. He's also been positive about that. There are statistics which support that. But your second question was regarding the students. And I think a number of US institutions who are already in India, at least 80 of them have set up joint campuses with existing Indian universities under the new education policy, joint research work, intertwining of degrees, you know, three plus one is already under implementation. Three plus one with IITS means three years here and one year in the United States, and similarly, startups. There is a lot of potential for startups in Amritsar, which has missed this, in tourism, in a whole lot of other industries. So, a large amount of Punjabi diaspora, which you mentioned about you know, there are about 1 million Punjabi Bhaichara in the US. I'll give you one small example. Hero Cycles had approached me about a year and a half ago. Today Hero cycles are being sold at Walmart. The first time I spoke to the CEO, he was wondering, but today he realizes how well because there's an emotional link. Just think Amritsar, we have Phulkari, we have handicrafts, we have even simple things like papad wadiyan of Amritsar. We have scarves, we have shawls, and the woollen industry of Amritsar, even in present circumstances, even if we put products from Amritsar and can get them across Walmart, others, and Amazon, they will sell like hotcakes. Not only Punjabi bhaichara but I can tell you people from across the border as well will buy it. WION: Where do you see yourself in the politics of Punjab? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: Politics in any democratic polity is always very robust. And Punjab is no different. Unfortunately, development has taken a backseat and that is not good. I gave you the example of Amritsar but see in Punjab. In Amritsar, these are existential issues. You go to any of the colonies, and you see perhaps one of the few cities where sewerage and drinking water are intermixing. You can imagine how poisonous and how unhealthy that can be. It is bringing problems. I always give an example, if indoors in six years can transform why not Amritsar? WION: Any solution to the drug issue... Taranjit Singh Sandhu: So drugs issue first, it needs to be looked at with an open eye. A lot of promises have been made, but there needs to be certain accountability on who's involved in this, and those people need to be prosecuted. Central agencies like the drug enforcement authority as well as NIA need to look into this and people who are involved with that, need to be prosecuted and put behind bars. Number two, we certainly need to generate employment for the youth and that employment needs to be skill-oriented, not degree-oriented. And that also brings in education. Amritsar has a lot of universities, as well as engineering colleges and medical colleges. They need to be updated. That education needs to be focused on skills. The third is rehabilitation. In rehabilitation, the focus needs to be bringing people out of that situation and not the rehabilitation centres become actually platforms for selling drugs. You know, some medicines sold by the US, and the Amritsar diaspora, the medical doctors are very keen to help out. Now, a combination of all this needs to be brought in. Drone technology needs to be utilized. WION: How can Amritsar become a connectivity hub in the region? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: You mentioned connectivity, I've already mentioned it to you. Connectivity is very important, especially from Amritsar. Connectivity can be done in three ways. One, I mentioned to you about air cargo, 20% utilization, we have 80% facilities available, and we don't have a single cargo flight. The second is through the border. Now, we are able to send our products, both industrial as well as agricultural, to even Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Dubai, which are part of the India, Middle East, and Europe corridor. PM during the UAE visit signed an agreement. A whole lot of products can be sold in the country. Lulu has a factory in Mohali. If our products are sold, I'm confident there's no way Pakistan can stop the transit. The transit needs to be opened up. So that's the second way. The third way is the rail connection. So all these three alternatives including what you have mentioned about the Attari- Wagah border, if we have all these 3 alternatives, will help. If tomorrow, even one of the alternatives shuts down, 2 others are working. WION: What do you make of the recent comments, first about Maryam Nawaz and her remarks to Indian Sikh Pilgrims and comments by Pakistani businessmen on trade with India? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: So I will leave it to the MEA to comment on that. But I will only mention and draw your attention to PM Modi, who responded swiftly to an invite by Maryam's father, then Prime Minister Sharif for a wedding invitation, and against all security advice he went there. So he's always taken those initiatives. I think definitely for Amritsar, this will be a welcome, that is opening of transit trade. And what goes into it, you know, it was not India which stopped the trade. So definitely, it's time that Pakistan also provides the Most Favoured Nation treatment and opens the transit across Pakistan. WION: We have seen a lot of comments by the Western media over India's elections. There have been a few controversies as well, which of course, the Indian side has rebutted over visa controversy. What do you make of these Western narratives, and comments over Indian elections? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: Look, I'll only say look at any of the elections, look at the elections in the US. There is so much one can comment on. Every democratic polity has its own robust competition, so it's best to look at one's own before commenting on others, but at the end of the day, I think if you look at the US investments coming into India, I think the confidence is growing every day. And that also speaks for itself. WION: What do u make of the future of BJP in Punjab? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: I think it has a lot of future because Punjab has tried all different parties, even Amritsar and what people have got in return are developmental problems. You have seen foreign policy touching the people, especially in the last four years, I can talk from the example of the United States, and India, which has transformed the relationship, has transformed into a partnership. So, therefore, I think Amritsar will be a very interesting case. And I can already see the narrative is coming on development. Many of my opponents for so many years they forgotten about developmental issues. Today, they have held important positions, and they need to be accountable to people. And they are also not talking about their contribution to development. Or I would say actually, it's a contribution to the decline of Amritsar. But most importantly, I want them to look to the future and everybody should come together and give suggestions, not talk about great things one has done because if so many great things have been done Amritsar would not be in this kind of situation which I mentioned.

Lok Sabha polls 2024: Taranjit Singh Sandhu, BJP's Amritsar candidate, proposes US consulate in Indian city

Indian Ambassador to US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu speaks exclusively to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Siddhant Sibbal on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit.

'PM Modi's visit to US was historic and substantial', says Taranjit Singh Sandhu | WION Exclusive

Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Saturday said that India is a "reliable partner" to the US and has been able to fulfil whatever assistance Washington has required.

"Both International Centre for Medical Education and Research (ICMER) and here the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have been collaborating for years. There is close cooperation exchange of information. Plus, as I said, collaboration, the at least three vaccines, on which Indian companies, and the United States companies are working together," Sandhu said.

The Indian and American pharmaceutical companies are currently working together on at least three possible vaccines to fight the coronavirus, India Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, he told.

About two or three years back the ICMR and the CDC had together developed a vaccine for another virus, named the rotavirus, he said.

"It has helped not only India but the United States as well along with many other countries," Sandhu said.

The US and India have been closely cooperating during COVID-19 crisis and are providing all possible assistance to each other. The leaders of the two countries are in regular touch since the outbreak on the virus.

The US has provided almost USD 5.9 million towards health assistance to India to curb the spread of COVID-19.

India also exported a consignment of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) tablets to the US, last month, after a request by President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Saturday said that India is a "reliable partner" to the US and has been able to fulfil whatever assistance Washington has required.

Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Saturday said that India is a "reliable partner" to the US and has been able to fulfil whatever assistance Washington has required. "Both International Centre for Medical Education and Research (ICMER) and here the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have been collaborating for years. There is close cooperation exchange of information. Plus, as I said, collaboration, the at least three vaccines, on which Indian companies, and the United States companies are working together," Sandhu said. The Indian and American pharmaceutical companies are currently working together on at least three possible vaccines to fight the coronavirus, India Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, he told. About two or three years back the ICMR and the CDC had together developed a vaccine for another virus, named the rotavirus, he said. "It has helped not only India but the United States as well along with many other countries," Sandhu said. The US and India have been closely cooperating during COVID-19 crisis and are providing all possible assistance to each other. The leaders of the two countries are in regular touch since the outbreak on the virus. The US has provided almost USD 5.9 million towards health assistance to India to curb the spread of COVID-19. India also exported a consignment of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) tablets to the US, last month, after a request by President Donald Trump. (With inputs from ANI)

India reliable partner of US, working on at least 3 COVID-19 vaccines: Ambassador Sandhu

WION Exclusive: 'India's ICMR & America's CDS in touch' says Taranjit Singh Sandhu | Indian envoy to US WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Siddhant Sibal exclusively speaks to Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indian envoy to United Stated of America.

WION Exclusive: 'India's ICMR & US' CDS in touch' says Taranjit Singh Sandhu | Indian envoy to US

World Is One News, WION exclusively speaks to Mr. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indian Ambassador to the United States of America.

WION exclusive conversation with Indian envoy to US  Taranjit Singh Sandhu

World Is One News, WION exclusively speaks to Mr. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indian Ambassador to United States of America.

Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indian envoy to US Exclusively speaks to WION

Indian envoy to United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu has said India &amp; US have been closely cooperating on COVID crisis, with India's Indian Council of Medical Research and America's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention being in touch at the technical level. Speaking to WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Envoy Sandhu talked about how the mission is reaching out to over 200,000 students &amp; thousands of Indian community members. His message to the Indian community, that they must stay where ever they are and follow local advisories.

WION: How are Indian students doing, are all safe? And visa issues, especially H1B remains a top concern. 
&nbsp; 
Taranjit Singh Sandhu: Students are of special category, there are a total of 200,000 Indian students in united states and when this health emergency struck, we immediately, got in touch with them through traditional means of our website, emails, social media but we also created a unique platform--a student peer support line through which we got in touch with different association and bodies. We have almost 8 thousand contacts and through them, we were in touch with 50 thousand students. We have been able to interact with them, in fact very recently we through Instagram, I spoke to almost 25,000 students on the weekend, we have been approached by the students via the various mechanism. We were able to find out they had problems regarding accommodation which we immediately contacted the university authorities. Most of the university authorities have accommodated the students on the campus, in some cases where there was an issue we got in touch with local associations, many of them are of Indian origin and they have come forward and offered, free accommodation to many of our students including some of them who were having problems with getting supplies those also have been accommodated. Our consulates and embassies are in touch with them, whenever they require any assistance or any supply, help, we provide them. Many of them also have medical issues, which we through the Indian American doctors, through telephones and telelines we have been able to provide them medical emergency assistance and finally, we had issues with visas and we are in touch with US authorities and we are trying to facilitate the resolution of these issues. like to mention, we have come out with 20 detailed advisories which layout what all the students need to do to resolve many of these problems.&nbsp;

 
WION: How is the mission reaching out to the Indian community as COVID spreads in the US?&nbsp;

Taranjit Singh Sandhu: As regards the Indian community, just to put it in perspective there are 200,000 students, 600,000 green card holders, there are 125,000 H1Bs and in addition, regularly there are a large number of Indian tourist who travels. On March 11th we proactively reached out through our website, through our social media accounts, through Indian community leaders and we informed them of the situation, the developing and the evolving situation and whoever wanted to return we facilitated there return between 11th to 22nd March, In fact, A number of OCI cardholders, whose parents were based in India, number of other emergency cases including were some deaths took place, we facilitated there return. Besides, we also set up 24*7 helpline since March 11 they are continuously functioning, many of Indian nationals and other Indian origin persons residing in the US have continuously contacted us through these medium and whatever assistance we have required we have tried to facilitate that.&nbsp;

WION: What will you&nbsp;suggest to the Indian community? US is the worst-hit country in the world?

Taranjit Singh Sandhu: Through your medium, I would like to request Indian nationals that it is very very important, that they follow the medical directives that are being issued by local authorities, by the state authorities, by the US authorities even in India and 2 very essential aspects of those are, one avoid any travel, second, keep a social distance. Other medical advisories are very common, and they are also requested to follow them. The number of cases so far have been very limited and that shows, that most of the students are closely following the advisories. My request again will be, please, ensure your wellbeing and also the well being of the people around you, and the others in the community, that is extremely important.&nbsp;

 
WION: How are the Indian diplomats doing, given how Indian diplomats now face the biggest challenge of the century, the COVID crisis, from China to US?

Taranjit Singh Sandhu: I must compliment all the Indian diplomats, who are posted in the embassy and the consulate. They have come forward and faced this challenge, with full responsibility and all our missions have been functioning and they continue to function even in extreme circumstances and by god's grace, everybody so far is safe. We will continue to be of assistance, Indian nationals and others whoever will seek assistance.&nbsp;

WION: How was your conversation with PM over the COVID crisis?

Taranjit Singh Sandhu: The leadership in India, particularly the prime minister has taken a very proactive interest in our activities. First and foremost he held a video conference where he gave us a lot of encouragement and a lot of support and also inquired about the welfare of all the officers and their family and that itself served as great encouragement for us. Secondly, he was very clear in instructing us, that the welfare of Indian nationals and welfare of Indian origin people, is important, so we have been very proactivity in touch with different community members and association including students who regularly check on their welfare and whenever any problem comes to our notice, we try to resolve and facilitate with the local authorities. Finally, the PM mentioned, that it is important, to follow what progress is taking place, especially, in term so of medicine and diagnostic and we keeping close track in that aspect and we keeping ICMR and other important medical authorities in India fully informed.

WION: How are India and US coordinating on COVID crisis, we gave Hydroxychloroquine to US, has it reached us? Any more Indian help to US?

Taranjit Singh Sandhu: On the issue of coronavirus, there has been close cooperation between the 2 sides, at the leadership level, President Trump called PM Modi, EAM has been in touch with the secretary of state and deputy secretary of state who is part of the core team in Washington DC has been in touch with the foreign secretary. At the technical level, there has been close cooperation between CDC and ICMR. They have in past too collaboration to create some vaccines, including the rotavirus, then they have worked toward developing medicines, also on diagnostics kits. In the area of medicine, there has been close cooperation between the 2 sides, we have recently supplied Hydroxychloroquine to US, in fact, president trump has publicly appreciated Indian act, there is strong cooperation between India and the US and there is a partnership which is ongoing. &nbsp;

Indian envoy to United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu has said India & US have been closely cooperating on COVID crisis, with India's Indian Council of Medical Research and America's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention being in touch at the technical level.

Indian envoy to United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu has said India & US have been closely cooperating on COVID crisis, with India's Indian Council of Medical Research and America's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention being in touch at the technical level. Speaking to WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Envoy Sandhu talked about how the mission is reaching out to over 200,000 students & thousands of Indian community members. His message to the Indian community, that they must stay where ever they are and follow local advisories. WION: How are Indian students doing, are all safe? And visa issues, especially H1B remains a top concern. Taranjit Singh Sandhu: Students are of special category, there are a total of 200,000 Indian students in united states and when this health emergency struck, we immediately, got in touch with them through traditional means of our website, emails, social media but we also created a unique platform--a student peer support line through which we got in touch with different association and bodies. We have almost 8 thousand contacts and through them, we were in touch with 50 thousand students. We have been able to interact with them, in fact very recently we through Instagram, I spoke to almost 25,000 students on the weekend, we have been approached by the students via the various mechanism. We were able to find out they had problems regarding accommodation which we immediately contacted the university authorities. Most of the university authorities have accommodated the students on the campus, in some cases where there was an issue we got in touch with local associations, many of them are of Indian origin and they have come forward and offered, free accommodation to many of our students including some of them who were having problems with getting supplies those also have been accommodated. Our consulates and embassies are in touch with them, whenever they require any assistance or any supply, help, we provide them. Many of them also have medical issues, which we through the Indian American doctors, through telephones and telelines we have been able to provide them medical emergency assistance and finally, we had issues with visas and we are in touch with US authorities and we are trying to facilitate the resolution of these issues. like to mention, we have come out with 20 detailed advisories which layout what all the students need to do to resolve many of these problems. WION: How is the mission reaching out to the Indian community as COVID spreads in the US? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: As regards the Indian community, just to put it in perspective there are 200,000 students, 600,000 green card holders, there are 125,000 H1Bs and in addition, regularly there are a large number of Indian tourist who travels. On March 11th we proactively reached out through our website, through our social media accounts, through Indian community leaders and we informed them of the situation, the developing and the evolving situation and whoever wanted to return we facilitated there return between 11th to 22nd March, In fact, A number of OCI cardholders, whose parents were based in India, number of other emergency cases including were some deaths took place, we facilitated there return. Besides, we also set up 24*7 helpline since March 11 they are continuously functioning, many of Indian nationals and other Indian origin persons residing in the US have continuously contacted us through these medium and whatever assistance we have required we have tried to facilitate that. WION: What will you suggest to the Indian community? US is the worst-hit country in the world? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: Through your medium, I would like to request Indian nationals that it is very very important, that they follow the medical directives that are being issued by local authorities, by the state authorities, by the US authorities even in India and 2 very essential aspects of those are, one avoid any travel, second, keep a social distance. Other medical advisories are very common, and they are also requested to follow them. The number of cases so far have been very limited and that shows, that most of the students are closely following the advisories. My request again will be, please, ensure your wellbeing and also the well being of the people around you, and the others in the community, that is extremely important. WION: How are the Indian diplomats doing, given how Indian diplomats now face the biggest challenge of the century, the COVID crisis, from China to US? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: I must compliment all the Indian diplomats, who are posted in the embassy and the consulate. They have come forward and faced this challenge, with full responsibility and all our missions have been functioning and they continue to function even in extreme circumstances and by god's grace, everybody so far is safe. We will continue to be of assistance, Indian nationals and others whoever will seek assistance. WION: How was your conversation with PM over the COVID crisis? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: The leadership in India, particularly the prime minister has taken a very proactive interest in our activities. First and foremost he held a video conference where he gave us a lot of encouragement and a lot of support and also inquired about the welfare of all the officers and their family and that itself served as great encouragement for us. Secondly, he was very clear in instructing us, that the welfare of Indian nationals and welfare of Indian origin people, is important, so we have been very proactivity in touch with different community members and association including students who regularly check on their welfare and whenever any problem comes to our notice, we try to resolve and facilitate with the local authorities. Finally, the PM mentioned, that it is important, to follow what progress is taking place, especially, in term so of medicine and diagnostic and we keeping close track in that aspect and we keeping ICMR and other important medical authorities in India fully informed. WION: How are India and US coordinating on COVID crisis, we gave Hydroxychloroquine to US, has it reached us? Any more Indian help to US? Taranjit Singh Sandhu: On the issue of coronavirus, there has been close cooperation between the 2 sides, at the leadership level, President Trump called PM Modi, EAM has been in touch with the secretary of state and deputy secretary of state who is part of the core team in Washington DC has been in touch with the foreign secretary. At the technical level, there has been close cooperation between CDC and ICMR. They have in past too collaboration to create some vaccines, including the rotavirus, then they have worked toward developing medicines, also on diagnostics kits. In the area of medicine, there has been close cooperation between the 2 sides, we have recently supplied Hydroxychloroquine to US, in fact, president trump has publicly appreciated Indian act, there is strong cooperation between India and the US and there is a partnership which is ongoing.

COVID-19 crisis: India's ICMR & America's CDC in touch, says Indian envoy to US; details on ground account of how mission reaching to Indian community

Taranjit Singh Sandhu will take charge as the new Indian Ambassador to the United States, news agency ANI reported quoting a senior Indian official. Sandhu will succeed Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the new Foreign Secretary-designate, who recently left for New Delhi to take charge later this month.

Taranjit Singh Sandhu will take charge as the new Indian Ambassador to the United States, news agency ANI reported quoting a senior Indian official. Sandhu will succeed Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the new Foreign Secretary-designate, who recently left for New Delhi to take charge later this month. The file relating to the appointment of Sandhu as India's Ambassador to the US has been cleared by the competent authority but the government is yet to make an official announcement about it, the source added. Sandhu is the current High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka. He previously served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at Embassy of India in Washington DC from 2013 to 2017. The Ambassador had also previously served in the Indian mission in DC between 1997 to 2000 and is generally believed to be a familiar face in the Washington DC circle. Official sources said Sandhu's appointment will be announced 'soon' even as US President Donald Trump all set for his maiden India visit towards the end of February since becoming president in 2016. The official also said that the procedures of the new appointee are also underway in Washington DC.

Taranjit Singh Sandhu to take charge as new Indian Ambassador to US 

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