Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, one of India’s most seasoned diplomats with close to 40 years of service, has been appointed as Advisor to the Board and Chairman of the Geopolitical Institute at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). His new role was officially announced in a statement from the forum.
In this capacity, Ambassador Sandhu will contribute his vast diplomatic expertise to shape USISPF’s engagement on several critical initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the Indo-Pacific security framework known as the Quad, and the I2U2 grouping involving India, Israel, the United States, and the UAE.
Having concluded a distinguished 35-year diplomatic career in February 2024, Ambassador Sandhu workedextensively with USISPF during his tenure as India’s envoy to Washington from 2020 to 2024. Throughout his career, he completed four diplomatic postings in the United States, three of which were in Washington, D.C., making him a pivotal figure in fostering the U.S.-India relationship.
Expressing his enthusiasm about joining USISPF, Ambassador Sandhu highlighted how the U.S.-India partnership has transformed into a robust global alliance, driven by shared democratic values and strong community connections. He commended USISPF President Mukesh Aghi for building lasting bridges between government leaders, businesses, academia, and innovators in both nations.
Ambassador Sandhu played a central role in deepening cooperation between India and the U.S. across diverse fields such as clean energy, defense, emerging technology, education, and space exploration. Notable moments under his leadership included Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Washington in June 2023, President Joe Biden’s visit to New Delhi for the G20 Summit, and President Donald Trump’s inaugural trip to India in 2020.
Earlier in his career, Sandhu served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington under Ambassador S. Jaishankar, helping facilitate landmark events like Prime Minister Modi’s Madison Square Garden appearance in 2014, which energized Indian diaspora engagement.
USISPF CEO Mukesh Aghi praised Ambassador Sandhu’s nuanced understanding of U.S.-India dynamics, citing his experience from the post-sanctions Clinton era to the current multi-sector strategic cooperation.
Moving forward, Ambassador Sandhu will focus on advancing collaborations within the Quad, enhancing economic corridors through IMEC, and further developing the I2U2 partnership. He is also expected to continue strengthening ties with the Indian diaspora, which USISPF describes as a crucial component of the bilateral relationship.
