The Indian Panorama

Tag: Ambassador Sandhu

  • Indian community has been anchor of Indo-US relationship: Ambassador Sandhu

    Indian community has been anchor of Indo-US relationship: Ambassador Sandhu

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The Indian-American community has been an anchor of the Indo-US relationship, India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu has said, emphasizing that the diaspora has a great role to play in the development of India.

    Sandhu was speaking at his farewell reception on Thursday, January 25, in a Maryland Suburb of Washington DC that was hosted by Indian-American organizations, including Sikhs of America, Overseas Friends of BJP USA, US India SME Council. “Indian community here has been an anchor of the fantastic relationship that has emerged,” Sandhu said. During the farewell reception, several members of the Indian-American community, particularly those from the Sikh Diaspora, urged him to do something for his hometown Amritsar and his home State of Punjab after his retirement.

    In response, Sandhu speaking in Punjabi said that the Diaspora can do more for Amritsar.

    He said that every time members of the diaspora go to Amritsar, they should spend an additional two days in the city and play a role in the development of the city and the state.

    “The tourism of Amritsar is like that of Agra, no less,” Sandhu said.

    Addressing the gathering, Jasdip Singh Jesse from Sikhs of America, said that Sandhu has made the community proud and has played a very important role in strengthening the India-US relationship.

    Under his leadership, the embassy resolved several issues impacting the community.

    Adapa Prasad, president of Overseas Friends of BJP USA, said that Sandhu has been the top Indian diplomat during whose tenure the bilateral relationship reached a new height.

    He hoped that the country would continue to benefit from his services in one capacity or the other post-retirement. Elisha Pulivarti, president of the US-India SME Council, presented Sandhu with the “Modern Day Chanakya and Master Strategist” award on the occasion.

    Sandhu, 61, retires from the foreign service after 35 years of diplomatic career this month.
    (Source: PTI)

  • India & US working to address ‘pressing challenges of our times’: Ambassador Sandhu

    India & US working to address ‘pressing challenges of our times’: Ambassador Sandhu

    WASHINGTON D.C. (TIP): As trusted global partners, India and the US are working to address the “pressing challenges of our times,” Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said on Thursday, April 6.

    Addressing the New Hampshire State Assembly, a rare privilege given to foreign diplomats, Sandhu said that India stands today as a “beacon of stability, amidst geopolitical uncertainties; an usher of global economic growth; a solution provider to some of the complex challenges of the times; and a consensus builder, in times of conflict and rising tensions.” “India remains interesting, important and incredible,” he said.

    President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi characterize India-US ties as a “Partnership for Global Good” and people call it the “most defining relationship of the 21st century,” he told the lawmakers.

    “Our partnership within the QUAD, IPEF and I2U2 frameworks is creating progress and prosperity for the world at large,” he added.

    Sandhu said that India and the US, as trusted global partners, are working to address pressing challenges of the times, the solutions to which would involve combining American technology and Indian talent, Washington’s strength to innovate and New Delhi’s ability to scale.

    “Some of this is already happening,” he said.

    American companies are manufacturing more in India than before, the two countries have launched a historic initiative on critical and emerging technologies, he said, adding, “The technologies that are driving tomorrow’s world, yesterday, – semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence, telecom, and quantum.” “We have active vaccine and medicine collaborations such as the Corbevax that are more affordable and accessible,” the Indian envoy said.

    Sandhu said, “From New Delhi to New Hampshire, there are several threads that bind us together.” “From the world’s largest democracy to the largest State Assembly, in the United States, we are guided by the same values and the vision, ‘we, the people’,” he said. Addressing the packed State Assembly, Sandhu said that he was convinced of the strength of the shared beliefs of the two countries and the deep-rooted friendship and partnership as he stood “in this temple of democracy, steeped in people’s hopes and aspirations.”

    Taking to Twitter after the address, the Indian Ambassador wrote, “A privilege to address the historic #NewHampshire House of Representatives & Senate Members this morning. Highlighted India’s transformative journey and its ever-strengthening partnership with the US.” During his address, Sandhu said that India is an ancient civilization but a young nation as 50 per cent of the population is below 25 years. He added that its talent can be a game-changer for innovation and research for the world.

    “We bring to the table our strengths and successes, and we are always ready to share it with the world: From vaccines to disaster relief, to our digital public goods, to our skills,” Sandhu said.

    Noting that India supplied vaccines to over 100 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and it was the first country to send a humanitarian mission when disaster struck Turkiye, Sandhu said, “As India leads the G-20 this year, with the motto of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, our approach to the global good, will resonate, far and wide.” “When our students seek education, in Dartmouth, or when a scholar from South New Hampshire University, pursues a Fulbright scholarship in India, we create a lasting friendship, between our peoples,” the top Indian diplomat in the US said.

    The Indian diaspora, he said, has been a vibrant and strong bridge connecting the two great nations.

    “The Bretton wood twins- IMF and World Bank- were born here in New Hampshire, at the Mount Washington Hotel- and here we are when the World Bank is soon going to be headed by a proud Indian-American!” he said, referring to Indian-American Ajay Banga who is poised to become the next President of the World Bank, adding that the second in command in IMF is already an Indian-American.

    He said that 40 per cent of the world’s digital payments come from India.

    “Be it the world’s largest biometric programme, Aadhar or world’s largest financial inclusion programme, ‘Jan Dhan Yojana’, or world’s largest Health Protection Mission, ‘Ayushman Bharat’, India has actively used technology as a tool for good governance,” he said. “We have more than 80,000 start-ups, out of which 115 are unicorns. Our rural internet users (USD 340 million), outnumber urban users (USD 290 million). IMF has forecast 15 per cent of global growth this year would come from India,” Sandhu said.
    (Source: PTI)

  • India US healthcare cooperation set to be taken to a new level: Ambassador Sandhu

    India US healthcare cooperation set to be taken to a new level: Ambassador Sandhu

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The healthcare cooperation between India and the United States is set to be taken to a new level, New Delhi’s top envoy here said on Tuesday, October 11. The robust and longstanding Vaccine Action Programme (VAP) is perhaps one of the most glaring examples of an initiative where India and the US work together, for the benefit of the people not only of India and the US but across the world, India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, said in his address to the 34th Meeting of the Joint Working Group of the Indo-US VAP. My compliments to the US and India teams for holding this event, he said, adding: “With strong complementarities and an intent political leadership in both countries, our healthcare cooperation is set to be taken to a new level.” Sandhu said India’s embrace of technology in healthcare such as reforms like Production Linked Incentives in the pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors and its experience in large-scale immunization programs would enable the two countries to take the healthcare cooperation to the next level.

    “Going forward, working together in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, as well as, Asia, future preparedness against outbreaks of infectious diseases, harmonization of standards for medical product innovations, and elimination of risks from import of pharmaceutical ingredients from a single source are some key areas where we could explore bilateral collaboration,” he said.

    Meeting in the backdrop of an unprecedented pandemic, the ambassador said there had been a number of takeaways from the Covid-19 pandemic for the world. Most significantly, the pandemic reiterated to the world that vaccination is perhaps humanity’s best shot at effectively managing infectious diseases like Covid19 by substantially reducing hospitalizations, mitigating severity, and importantly, bringing down the number of fatalities, he said.

    According to Sandhu, in the three and a half decades since its inception, the VAP has supported novel vaccine research, yielded prototype products, trained human resources, and encouraged interactions with scientists, across the globe.

    “The Rotavirus vaccine jointly developed under VAP that brought down the price of the vaccine from USD 0.60 to USD 1, is one of the strongest impacts that VAP has made in the world,” Sandhu said. “During the pandemic, we drew strength from VAP when Indian and the US entities worked together on over half a dozen vaccine collaborations. We combined our unique strengths and synergies including scale, technology, and affordability – be it in the form of the Baylor College of Medicine, developed Corbevax (BCM and BioE), or the Novavax and Serum Institute of India produced Covovax or the BioE – J&J collaborated Janssen,” he said.

    Today, VAP is supplemented, by the expanding bilateral healthcare collaboration. India and the US have been working together in combatting diseases such as tuberculosis, cancer, HIV, eye diseases, etc. Indian firms supplied about 40 per cent of generics marketed in the United States. “This has allowed American healthcare consumers, to save up to USD 80 billion in the last two years and enhanced access to quality medicines. There are over 200 active collaborations between NIH and leading Indian research agencies,” he said.

    Last year the bilateral health dialogue was held in New Delhi where an umbrella MOU on health and bio-medics was signed. The two countries helped each other, as well as the world during the pandemic. In 2020, India ensured the integrity of health supply chains, providing essential medicines to the US. “In 2021, US supported India, during the Delta surge. The administration, US Congress, private sector and Indian Diaspora came together to support India in various ways, including in vaccine raw materials, and critical health infrastructure. US supported the India-South Africa proposals for a TRIPS Waiver at the WTO,” Sandhu said of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement.

  • During pandemic, India and US played critical role in supporting each other: Ambassador Sandhu

    During pandemic, India and US played critical role in supporting each other: Ambassador Sandhu

    WASHINGTON, D.C.(TIP): Over the last two years, there has been a tremendous challenge due to the disruption in global supply chains and like the US, India has also been affected, he said in his address to the Indiana Economic Summit in Indianapolis.

    However, through careful policies and a concerted focus on rebuilding their capabilities, they have managed to emerge from the pandemic stronger, Sandhu said this week.

    “During this period, India and the US played a critical role in supporting each other,” the Indian envoy said. This was particularly so in health supply chains where India supplied critical medicines and personal protective equipment to the US in 2020, Sandhu said.

    “We supplied nearly two million masks to Philadelphia. The US reciprocated with vaccine and drug components during the second Delta wave in India in 2021. India demonstrated that it was a reliable supply chain partner to the US even in difficult circumstances.

    “Domestically, we are building strength through improving the Ease of Doing Business, removing barriers to foreign investment, reforming the tax and incentive structure, and fostering innovation. In fact, India is perhaps the only country, which has come out with bold economic reforms during the pandemic. It is only a matter of time before we become the world’s third largest economy,” he said.

    On his maiden visit to Indiana as India’s Ambassador, Sandhu not only had meetings with the top government officials but also had interaction with the students and academics of the prestigious Perdue University and eminent members of the Indian-American community.

    He also visited a local gurdwara in Indiana and interacted with the Sikh community. His community reception among others was attended by state-level officials and also from neighboring Ohio including its young Hindu State Senator Niraj Atani.

    “From India to Indiana, our partnerships have only just begun!” Sandhu said, reflecting on the key role that Indiana is playing in the bilateral relationship.

    Indiana’s bilateral trade now is over USD 1 billion. Indiana Governor Eric J Holcomb is probably the only American governor to have visited India twice in 2017 and 2019.

    In 2019, he also had a meeting with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Governor and the Ambassador had a focused interaction highlighting the economic and commercial ties between India and the US. They noted the investments made by Indian companies in Indiana including Infosys. Indian companies provide several thousand jobs in Indiana. Similarly, several Indiana companies have invested in India.

    “We had a substantive discussion on our deepening partnership in healthcare, digital/IT and education,” Sandhu tweeted.

    Sandhu, during his Indiana visit, also had meetings with CEOs of Cummins, Ely Lilly, and Elanco, wherein they discussed issues in terms of attracting investments in India.

    “This week, I visited the impressive campus of” Purdue University, Sandhu tweeted, adding that he was delighted to meet with leading faculty members, working on cutting edge science, technology, engineering and mathematics areas and learn about their close partnership with Indian institutions.

    After a meeting with Senator Todd Young, the Ambassador in a tweet described him as a friend of India.

    “His work to strengthen India-US strategic partnership and to support community is deeply appreciated,” Sandhu said.

    In Indiana, Sandhu also met tech icon and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. “Discussed the limitless possibilities in tech, innovation and education. Thanked him for administering the unique Quad STEM Fellowships,” he said.

    Describing his visit to the Infosys campus in Indiana as impressive, Sandhu said the IT giant has state-of-the-art facilities in Indianapolis, sharpening the US competitive edge, innovating on the next generation of technologies, and adding value to local communities.

    In his meetings and public address, Sandhu underscored that domestically, India is building strength through improving the Ease of Doing Business, removing barriers to foreign investment, reforming the tax and incentive structure, and fostering innovation.

    “In fact, India is perhaps the only country, which has come out with bold economic reforms during the pandemic. It is only a matter of time before we become the world’s third largest economy,” he added.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Diaspora has been important pillar of India-US relationship: Ambassador Sandhu

    Diaspora has been important pillar of India-US relationship: Ambassador Sandhu

    WASHINGTON D.C. (TIP): The Indian-American diaspora has played an important role in strengthening the India-US relationship, the country’s top envoy said here on Wednesday, January 26, a day after the Indian government announced Padma Bhushan civilian awards to three eminent Indian-Americans. “The diaspora has been an important pillar of the relationship, which continues to strengthen ties through its achievements in diverse sectors and contribute to India’s development journey,” India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu told the community during a virtual celebration of the country’s 73rd Republic Day.

    Addressing thousands of Indian-Americans, who joined the celebrations through various social media outlets, Sandhu said this year, three of the distinguished diaspora members had been conferred the Padma Bhushan – Madhu Jaffrey for popularizing Indian cuisine, Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai for their leadership in the technology sector.

    “This is a matter of pride for all of us, as well as a testament to the strength of the community,” Sandhu said from the lawns of India House, the official residence of India’s Ambassador to the US, in Washington DC.

    In his remarks, the Indian ambassador said the United States had been a key partner for his country.

    “As Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi mentioned in his remarks at the Bilateral Summit with President (Joe) Biden last year, we are witnessing a transformative period in the India-US strategic partnership driven by tradition, talent, technology, trade and trusteeship. All of us are working towards realizing the full potential of this consequential relationship,” he said.

    Observing that this year is special as the county celebrates the 75th anniversary of its independence as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Sandhu said India today is better placed to face the increasing challenges and complexities that the world encounters.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Republic Day celebrated at Indian Embassy in Washington

    Republic Day celebrated at Indian Embassy in Washington

    Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu reads out the president’s Address to the Nation
    Virtual participation in Republic Day celebration.

    WASHINGTON (TIP): The 72nd Republic Day of India was celebrated in Washington D.C. with a flag-hoisting ceremony on 26th January 2021 at the India House. Members of the Indian community joined the celebrations in large numbers virtually, in view of the local public health guidelines due to COVID 19.

    Ambassador of India, H.E. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, unfurled the tricolor, which was followed by singing of the National Anthem. In his remarks to the community, Ambassador complimented them for their work during the pandemic and their role in bringing India and the US closer. He said that the Indian Government “looks forward to working with the new Administration, led by President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. From outer space to nanotechnology, from the Indo-Pacific to climate change, from healthcare to education & IT, there is a recognition, that our partnership can benefit, not just our two nations, but the entire world.” The Address by the Hon’ble President of India on the eve of Republic Day was played. This was followed by a short cultural program involving local artist and rendition of patriotic songs by students of Gandharva School of Music, Richmond, and a violin recital by Mr. KamalakiranVinjamuru.

  • Ambassador Sandhu Discusses India-Pennsylvania Relationship with Governor Tom Wolf

    Ambassador Sandhu Discusses India-Pennsylvania Relationship with Governor Tom Wolf

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Ambassador of India to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf discussed important areas of the vibrant India-Pennsylvania relationship, encompassing economic and people-to-people ties during a conversation Aug 7.

    Ambassador Sandhu and Governor Wolf discussed the ever-increasing trade and investment complementarities in the India-US relationship and cooperation in the fields of education and healthcare. Ambassador shared with the Governor the latest developments in the Indian healthcare and education sectors, including recent reform initiatives taken by India.

    Both noted the important contributions, especially in economy, of over 200,000 members of the Indian diaspora in Pennsylvania, including those of nearly 10,000 Indian students in Pennsylvania’s higher education institutions. Ambassador highlighted the new opportunities available for investments in India’s higher education sector under the New Education Policy recently announced in India.

    The total trade between India and Pennsylvania has grown to $3.21 billion (2019). Today over 18 Indian companies, with investments of $540 million, are supporting 3,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. Many Pennsylvania based US companies spread across Food Processing, Agriculture, IT, and Chemicals sectors are present in India. Some notable investments include Hershey’s, Kraft Heinz, Unisys, Air Products & Chemicals, FMC among others.

    Indian entrepreneurs and professionals have a significant presence in Pennsylvania in the IT and telecommunications, life sciences and manufacturing sectors. Indian high skilled talent adds to the competitive edge of the U.S. economy.

    Ambassador Sandhu and Governor Wolf agreed to work together to further enhance the India-Pennsylvania relationship.

    (Based on a Press Release)

     

  • India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu to be accorded a Welcome reception in New Jersey on March 15

    India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu to be accorded a Welcome reception in New Jersey on March 15

    ISELIN, NJ (TIP): Consulate General of India , New York and the Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT  will be  hosting a welcome reception to Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu who took over as India’s Ambassador to the United States of America following the transfer of Harsh Vardhan Shringla as Foreign Secretary in January, 2020.

    The Tri-State of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut community organizations are supporting and participating in the welcome reception scheduled for Sunday, March 15 from 6 to 9 P.M. at Marriott Woodbridge, 515 US Highway 1 South. Iselin, NJ 08830.

    Ambassador Sandhu assumed office on February 3 and presented his credentials to the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump at the Oval office of the White House, February 6.

    Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu is one of the most experienced Indian diplomats on US affairs, having served in the Indian Mission in Washington DC twice earlier. He was Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Washington DC from July 2013 to January 2017. Earlier, he was First Secretary (Political) at the Embassy of India, Washington, DC responsible for liaison with the United States Congress from 1997 to 2000. He has also been at the Permanent Mission of India to United Nations, New York from July 2005 to February 2009.

    Prior to his current assignment in Washington DC, Ambassador Sandhu was High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka from January 2017 to January 2020. He had also served at the High Commission of India, Colombo earlier as the Head of the Political Wing from December 2000 to September 2004.

    Ambassador Sandhu was Consul General of India in Frankfurt from September 2011 to July 2013. He has worked in the Ministry of External Affairs in various 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 Officer on Special Duty (Press Relations), Ministry of External Affairs from December 1995 to March 1997, and was responsible for liaison with foreign media in India.

    In a distinguished career spanning over thirty years in the Indian Foreign Service since 1988, Ambassador Sandhu started his diplomatic career from former Soviet Union (Russia) where he worked as Third Secretary (Political) / Second Secretary (Commercial) in the Indian Mission from 1990 to 1992. Following the breakup of Soviet Union, he was sent to open a new Embassy in Ukraine. He served as Head of Political and Administration Wings in Indian Embassy in Kiev from 1992 to 1994.

    Born on 23 January 1963 in a family of educationists, Ambassador 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 at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.