NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — Former Indian Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, made headlines on Tuesday by officially joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in New Delhi. Sandhu’s move into politics comes amid speculation that he may contest for the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming elections, positioning himself against Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the same constituency.
The formal induction ceremony took place at the BJP headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg in New Delhi, witnessed by notable figures including party general secretaries Vinod Tawde and Tarun Chugh.
Sandhu, recognized for his extensive diplomatic experience, served as India’s Ambassador to the United States from February 2020 to January 2024. Prior to this, he held the prestigious position of High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka from January 2017 to January 2020. His diplomatic career includes notable stints at the High Commission of India in Colombo and as Consul General of India in Frankfurt.
Sandhu received his education from The Lawrence School, Sanawar, and pursued his undergraduate studies with honors in History from St. Stephens’ College, Delhi. He furthered his academic pursuits by obtaining a Master’s Degree in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Sandhu’s entry into the BJP, a strategic move by the party, reflects its intent to bolster its presence in Punjab, a state where it aims to expand its influence. With Sandhu’s reputation as a seasoned diplomat, the BJP aims to leverage his expertise to strengthen its foothold in the region, particularly in the Amritsar constituency.
Sandhu’s decision to join politics follows in the footsteps of other former diplomats who transitioned into political roles under the Narendra Modi government, such as Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and S Jaishankar.
As Sandhu embarks on this new chapter in his career, his entry into the political arena adds an intriguing dimension to the electoral landscape of Punjab, with all eyes now on his potential candidacy for the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat.
