The US India Business Council (USIBC) played host to a heartfelt farewell reception in honor of India’s outgoing Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. Concluding a remarkable 35-year career in the Indian Foreign Service, Ambassador Sandhu’s retirement marks the end of a chapter in which he played a pivotal role in shaping and strengthening the relationship between India and the United States. The event, held on Wednesday, garnered attendance from distinguished officials representing the White House, State Department, and prominent figures from the corporate sector.
Kurt Campbell, the National Security Council coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, took the opportunity to commend Ambassador Sandhu’s significant contributions to the India-US partnership. Campbell acknowledged the retiring ambassador’s impact on bilateral relations, highlighting his diplomatic skills and expressing warm wishes for his future endeavors. The farewell reception served as a platform for key figures to reflect on Sandhu’s influential role in fostering strong ties between the two nations.
Sandhu, who has been posted in the United States on four occasions, with three assignments at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, received accolades for his dedicated service. Atul Keshap, President of the US India Business Council, recognized Sandhu’s diplomatic finesse and visionary approach, noting the positive state of India-US relations as a testament to his efforts.
In his remarks, Ambassador Sandhu touched upon various dimensions of the India-US partnership, ranging from defense cooperation to advancements in education and the recent Indo-Pacific cooperation through the ICET dialogue. Expressing gratitude, he acknowledged the collaborative efforts of individuals such as Kurt Campbell, Atul Keshap, and Nisha Desai Biswal in fortifying India-US ties. Biswal, Deputy CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation, praised Sandhu’s understanding of the essential role of people-to-people relationships in foreign policy. She lauded his comprehensive engagement with stakeholders, including government officials, diaspora communities, and business leaders, which contributed to fostering a robust partnership.
The farewell reception not only celebrated Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu’s illustrious diplomatic career but also highlighted the enduring bonds between India and the United States. As he embarks on a new phase of his journey, the legacy of his contributions to the bilateral relationship will undoubtedly continue to resonate in the ongoing narrative of India-US ties.
