Indian ambassador recommends “frequent visits to India” for second generation Indian-Americans
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 21th Jan. The outgoing Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, emphasized that the bilateral connections are bound to grow and that the US-India relationship is very vital and significant for the benefit of both countries as well as the world.
Speaking on Saturday to a gathering of over 200 distinguished Indian Americans from around the US, Sandhu asked them to make sure that the second generation stays in touch with India and makes frequent trips there.
After an illustrious 35 years, Sandhu will retire from the Indian Foreign Service this month-end. “This relationship is very important and significant, not only for our two countries but for the global good,” he remarked.
“You have to make sure your kids visit India and stay engaged in the country. You can make sure through your associations and groups, just like so many other communities here in the United States, since you can all afford for them to travel to India,” he continued.
“I can guarantee that the embassies and consulates will assist you in the event that there is a problem with the children’s security. We’ll plan that out to ensure it works flawlessly. When they go, they have assistance,” he remarked.
“Nevertheless, send them anyhow, as they’ll be in a special position tomorrow. Most foreign businesses that relocate to India will recruit them if they have a thorough understanding of the country, according to Sandhu. He asserted that the two nations’ relationship would only strengthen in the years to come.
“Whether it’s affordable healthcare or it is energy or it is technology, startups, innovation, new emerging technologies, the US-India relationship is destined to grow big,” he stated.
The Indian Consulate in Seattle is the sixth one following those in New York, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, and San Francisco, and Sandhu has played a significant role in its opening.
Two more Indian consulates would shortly operate in the US, he also informed the diaspora.
“We are really proud of the Indian American community. We hope that the two additional consulates that have been promised will open as soon as possible,” he stated. According to Sandhu, he has had conversations with at least 44 governors of various US states during his tenure as ambassador.
“I’ve met a number of the mayors because, from my time here, I know that the states and the cities have a lot of power. There is a lot of business that can be done, so each and every one of you has an extremely important part to play. Even though you have played it before, Sandhu remarked, “that’s just the tip of the iceberg.”
During the almost two-hour virtual farewell reception, Indian Americans gave speeches praising the ambassador’s leadership and the advancements in the India-US relationship established while he was in office. This is the fantastic relationship that Ambassador Sandhu has been able to assist strengthen during his stay here, according to Smita Shah, president of Span Tech from Chicago.
“I’m personally so grateful because not always do people remember, not just the senior members of the community, but the women, the other young members, and you always make everyone feel connected,” she stated.
Businessman Raju Chintala, who is headquartered in Indiana, stated that Sandhu’s term was marked by the best kind of diplomacy and was evidence of his leadership and commitment to promoting world peace. “Ambassador Sandhu, your legacy of friendship and cooperation will live on, and you will be deeply missed. We hope that your efforts will continue to influence the relationship between the United States and India, and we wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors,” Chintala stated.
According to Silicon Valley, California resident Ajay Jain Bhutoria, Sandhu has been a steadfast diplomat whose leadership has been essential in taking the US-Indian relationship to previously unheard-of levels.
“Ambassador Sandhu, you are not just a skilled diplomat; you are a visionary who has significantly shaped the trajectory of the 21st-century bilateral relationship between the United States and India,” he stated. Ambassador Sandhu, an Indian Foreign Service officer from the 1988 batch, took on the demanding position of ambassador to the United States in the early months of 2020, according to Bhutoria.
“Navigating a transformative period under two administrations, first led by Donald Trump and then by Joe Biden, he infused the relationship with a truly bipartisan flavour, showcasing his diplomatic skills,” he stated.
His influence is felt in many different areas, including trade relations, defense partnership enhancement, educational exchanges, and the Quad partnership. Bhutoria made reference to Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to the US in June of last year, saying, “Notably, his strategic vision played a key role in landmark events, such as Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi’s state lunch, opening the doors for over 5,000 community members to partake in the historic welcome on the White House south lawn.”
