Former Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Sandhu has joined the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) as Advisor to the Board and will serve as Chairman of the newly established USISPF Geopolitical Institute.

In this leadership role, Ambassador Sandhu will shape USISPF’s strategic engagements across key initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the Indo-Pacific Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), and the I2U2 grouping (India, Israel, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates).

Ambassador Sandhu previously collaborated closely with USISPF during his four-year tenure in Washington, prior to retiring in February 2024 from a distinguished 35-year career in diplomacy. Recognized as one of India’s most seasoned envoys, Sandhu played a pivotal role in strengthening U.S.-India relations through four diplomatic postings in the U.S., three of them in Washington, D.C., USISPF noted in its statement.

Commenting on his appointment, Ambassador Sandhu said, “I am delighted to join the US India Strategic Partnership Forum as Chairman of its Geopolitical Institute. I have had the opportunity to work on as well as follow the India-US story for over three decades. The relationship has evolved into a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, underpinned by shared values and interests, matured in character and nurtured by the vibrant people-to-people ties between the two countries.”

He went on to emphasize that Prime Minister Modi and President Trump have infused fresh energy through the India-US COMPACT, which focuses on key sectors including defense, technology, energy and trade.”

“USISPF, led by Mukesh, has played a significant role in forging closer ties between the governments, industry, innovators and academia of India and US. As we navigate through an increasingly uncertain world, I look forward to contributing meaningfully in the new role, towards further deepening this most consequential partnership,” Ambassador Sandhu added.

According to USISPF, Ambassador Sandhu’s tenure as Ambassador was marked by historic milestones, including deepening cooperation in energy, emerging technologies, education, space, and defense. Notable highlights included Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark state visit to Washington in June 2023 among others. 

USISPF President and CEO Mukesh Aghi praised Sandhu’s diplomatic acumen, stating, “The most important strategic partnership of the 21st century, one between Washington and New Delhi, requires the art of deft diplomacy and sagacious statecraft.” 

He added, “New Delhi has always sent its brightest minds to Washington, but few have come more experienced in understanding the contours of U.S.-India relations than Ambassador Sandhu, who in his first stint in Washington, as the First Secretary (Political) formed crucial relations on Capitol Hill, with both Democrat and Republican lawmakers, during a time of sanctions from the Clinton Administration.”

Aghi emphasized that the current trajectory of the U.S.-India relationship, spanning semiconductors, supply chains, energy, education, and defense cooperation, has been made possible by the work of seasoned diplomats like Sandhu. 

“Having worked closely with Ambassador Sandhu during his diplomatic days, I am eager to engage with him in this new avatar, this time with his new USISPF hat,” Aghi added.

USISPF underscored that with the Indo-Pacific at the forefront of strategic priorities, Ambassador Sandhu will play a vital role in strengthening cooperation through the Quad, focusing on defense collaboration, vaccine diplomacy, energy security, and emerging technologies.

Regarding West Asia, USISPF highlighted that regional stability and energy dynamics remain central, with IMEC offering transformative opportunities in infrastructure, supply chains, and economic connectivity. The I2U2 initiative, which emerged during Sandhu’s tenure in Washington, continues to benefit from his diplomatic foresight. 

“USISPF remains grateful for his diplomatic erudition in guiding our efforts to strengthen commercial ties through multilateral settings,” the organization stated.

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