"Our close association gives me fullest confidence...": Jaishankar welcomes Taranjit Singh Sandhu in BJP

New Delhi [India], March 20 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed former Indian envoy to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday.
The EAM recalled the close association between the two leaders and affirmed confidence that Sandhu will continue contributing to the nation's development and progress.
"Welcome to @BJP4India, Ambassador @SandhuTaranjitS. Our close association gives me fullest confidence that you will continue contributing to the nation's development and progress," Jaishankar posted on X.
https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1770087068703805503?s=20
Earlier in the day, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
Sandhu, who hails from Punjab's Amritsar, joined the BJP in the presence of BJP National Secretary, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Tarun Chug.
In the joining ceremony, Sandhu said that Prime Minister Modi is a development-focused leader and that this development should reach his native place, Amritsar.
Speaking to ANI, Sandhu said that Amritsar should not miss the opportunities the country is getting, and his nomination for the Lok Sabha candidate will be decided by the party itself.
"There has been a transformation in India-US relations in the past 4 years. It has transformed from a relationship to a partnership. India has received investments in many areas. Opportunities are created for the youth. I am concerned that Amritsar should not miss the opportunities the country is getting," Sandhu said.
"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," he added.
On February 1, Taranjit Singh Sandhu was relieved of his duties after he retired as the Indian envoy to the US.
Sandhu assumed charge as the Indian Ambassador to the United States in February 2020. Sandhu's most immediate task after being appointed was then-President Donald Trump's India visit, followed by keeping up the momentum in bilateral ties.
He is one of the most experienced Indian diplomats in US affairs, having served in the Indian Mission in Washington, DC, twice earlier.
He was Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Washington, DC, from July 2013 to January 2017.Earlier, he was the First Secretary (Political) at the Embassy of India, Washington, DC, responsible for liaison with the United States Congress from 1997 to 2000. He has also been at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York, from July 2005 to February 2009.
He came to Washington from Sri Lanka, where he had a remarkably successful tenure as the High Commissioner from January 2017 to January 2020. Sandhu was the Consul General of India in Frankfurt from September 2011 to July 2013.
Besides this, he has worked in the Ministry of External Affairs in various capacities - as Joint Secretary (United Nations) from March 2009 to August 2011; and later as Joint Secretary (Administration), heading the Human Resource Division. (ANI)