“When I started, there were zero dollars of trade between the United States and India and we talk of 25 billion now. But the beautiful part is going much beyond the trade now we are talking about collaborating, co-producing, co-developing. So the GE (General Electric) deal is very, very significant,” ANI quoted him as saying.

US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) President and CEO Mukesh Aghi additionally spoke on the occasion and lauded Sandhu’s tenure.

“I think what he accomplished last four years…is basically measurable. Thank you for what you have done,” Dr Aghi added.

Ashley Tellis, one of many strongest advocates of nearer US-India ties in Washington DC additionally praised Sandhu and his tenure calling him a “deciduous contributor” to this relationship.

“He (Sandhu) has been a deciduous contributor to this relationship because he understood right from the beginning how important this partnership is for the future of both our countries. In this last tenure here in Washington, we had to deal with a very complex environment in terms of our bilateral relationship. But the fact that we have still managed to stay the course and move this relationship ever upward is a great tribute to you,” Tellis mentioned.

It has been a sequence of bittersweet adieus for the seasoned and expert Indian ambassador Sandhu who will quickly depart for Delhi later this month.. Sandhu served the Indian Foreign Services for 35 years and was posted within the United States 4 occasions, together with three in Washington DC.

Sandhu assumed cost because the Indian Ambassador to the United States in February l2020. Sandhu’s most quick job after being appointed was then-President Donald Trump’s India go to, adopted by maintaining the momentum in bilateral ties.

Born on January 23, 1963, in a household of educationists, Sandhu studied at The Lawrence School, Sanawar and graduated with History Honors from St. Stephens’ College, Delhi. He pursued a Master’s Degree in International Relations on the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

He is without doubt one of the most skilled Indian diplomats on US affairs, having served within the Indian Mission in Washington DC twice earlier. He was Deputy Chief of Mission on the Embassy of India in Washington DC from July 2013 to January 2017.

Earlier, he was the First Secretary (Political) on the Embassy of India, Washington DC, chargeable for liaison with the United States Congress from 1997 to 2000. He has additionally been on the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York, from July 2005 to February 2009.

He got here to Washington from Sri Lanka the place he had a remarkably profitable tenure because 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 labored within the Ministry of External Affairs in numerous capacities – as Joint Secretary (United Nations) from March 2009 to August 2011; and later as Joint Secretary (Administration) heading the Human Resource Division.

He was an Officer on Special Duty (Press Relations) on the Ministry of External Affairs from December 1995 to March 1997 and was chargeable for liaison with international media in India.
In a distinguished profession spanning over 35years within the Indian Foreign Service since 1988, Ambassador Sandhu began his diplomatic profession within the former Soviet Union (Russia) the place he labored as Third Secretary (Political)/Second Secretary (Commercial) within the Indian Mission from 1990 to 1992.

Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, he was despatched to open a brand new Embassy in Ukraine. He served as Head of Political and Administration Wings within the Indian Embassy in Kyiv from 1992 to 1994.

With inputs from businesses