India’s ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, is approaching the conclusion of his tenure in Washington DC, with retirement scheduled by the end of January. With a career spanning over 35 years in government, Sandhu assumed the role of ambassador in DC in 2020. Beginning his diplomatic journey in 1988, he served as Third Secretary (political) in the Soviet Union (Russia) and later as Second Secretary of the Indian Mission in the Soviet Union until 1992.
Post the Soviet Union’s dissolution, Sandhu played a crucial role in opening a new embassy in Ukraine, serving as head of political and administration wings in the Indian Embassy in Kyiv from 1992 to 1994. His initial posting in the United States occurred in 1997 as the First Secretary (Political) at the Embassy of India, Washington, DC, where he managed liaison with the United States Congress until 2000. Sandhu has held diverse roles, including being at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York, from July 2005 to February 2009.
In 2011, he became the Consul General of India in Frankfurt, serving until July 2013. Sandhu has held various positions in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, including Joint Secretary (UN) and Joint Secretary (Administration), where he headed the Human Resource Division. Notably, he oversaw press relations as Officer on Special Duty at the Ministry of External Affairs from December 1995 to March 1997.
Last January, the Indian government granted Sandhu a one-year retirement extension, highlighting the significance of the US relationship, his influential contacts, and his impact on Washington politics. During his final year in office, Sandhu played a key role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to the White House and facilitated significant agreements, such as the signing of the initiative on critical and emerging technologies (iCET) and the Artemis Accords between the two countries.
