Ex-Indian ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu joins BJP

NEW DELHI: India's former ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, joined the BJP on Tuesday and is likely to contest Lok Sabha polls from Amritsar. Since his retirement, Sandhu has been spending time in Amritsar and reaching out to people in his "hometown" and its nearby villages. Sandhu has taken up several causes, including scholarships sponsored by Indian diaspora for students of Amritsar and to attract new investment in the holy city.

Sandhu while speaking in Punjabi talked about growth in India-US bilateral relations during his stint as ambassador to the US. The ties have evolved into a partnership that is a win-win situation for both, Sandhu said, adding that its benefits should reach different parts of India like Amritsar in terms of employment opportunities and development. With BJP making concerted efforts to broaden its support among the Sikh community, in Sandhu it has a credible and recognisable Jat Sikh face.