Washington DC: US President Donald Trump on Thursday congratulated Taranjit Singh Sandhu on his appointment as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, praising his diplomatic record and role in strengthening bilateral ties.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Sandhu as a “seasoned diplomat” and highlighted his tenure as India’s Ambassador to the United States. He said Sandhu had consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing U.S.-India relations.
“Congratulations to Taranjit Sandhu on becoming the new Lt Governor of Delhi!” Trump wrote, adding that Sandhu’s leadership would contribute to Delhi’s development and deepen global partnerships.
Sandhu, a veteran Indian Foreign Service officer, served as India’s envoy to Washington from 2020 to 2024, a period marked by closer strategic cooperation between the two countries across defense, technology and trade.
Trump’s message underscores the continued emphasis on strong India-US ties, which have expanded significantly in recent years through initiatives in security collaboration, economic engagement and people-to-people connections.
Sandhu assumed charge as the new Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on March 11, 2026, marking a significant administrative change in the national capital.
A 1988-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, Sandhu brings more than three decades of diplomatic experience to the role. Over the course of his career, he held several key assignments, including serving as India’s ambassador to the United States in Washington, DC Prior to that, he served as deputy chief of mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington from 2013 to 2017, and earlier as first secretary (political) between 1997 and 2000, where he handled political affairs, including engagement with the U.S. Congress.
Sandhu also served as India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and held several key roles at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.
Known for his administrative acumen and innovative diplomatic approach, Sandhu played a crucial role in managing India-US relations across multiple US administrations during his tenure as ambassador in Washington. Earlier, as deputy chief of mission and during his stint as a young political officer, he closely followed developments in the U.S. Congress, helping strengthen bilateral engagement between the two countries.
At the MEA headquarters, Sandhu was also instrumental in reforming the ministry’s administration division, considered a key operational arm of India’s foreign policy establishment.
Following his retirement from the diplomatic service, Sandhu entered electoral politics and contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Amritsar as a candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
