US President Trump and India’s then-US envoy Taranjit Singh Sandhu (File photo) NEW DELHI: Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s former ambassador to the United States, on Saturday expressed “great satisfaction and happiness” after US President Donald Trump congratulated him on his appointment as Delhi’s lieutenant governor and lauded his “deep commitment” to strengthening bilateral ties.Also Read | ‘Seasoned diplomat’: Trump congratulates former envoy to US Taranjit Sandhu on Delhi LG appointmentSandhu was appointed Delhi’s lieutenant governor in March. He served as India’s envoy in Washington from February 2020 to March 2024. After retiring, he contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Amritsar constituency on the ruling BJP’s ticket, but lost.“The relationship between the United States and India is in the national interests of both countries. The prime minister’s (Narendra Modi) thinking is very clear—he has outlined it many times. I was simply doing my job. It is certainly a matter of satisfaction and happiness that President Trump, in his post, acknowledged that,” the former diplomat told reporters when asked about Trump’s Truth Social message.He added, “But I would also like to mention that President Biden has spoken about the good work as well. Under the prime minister’s guidance, we were able to transform the relationship into a partnership.”Trump was US president when Sandhu was appointed India’s ambassador to Washington, but he lost the November 2020 election to Joe Biden. The Republican returned to the White House after defeating then-Vice President Kamala Harris in November 2024, following Biden’s decision not to seek a second term.On Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social: “Congratulations to Taranjit Sandhu on becoming the new Lt Governor of Delhi! As a seasoned Diplomat and former Ambassador to the United States, he has always shown deep commitment to strengthening the U.S.-India relationship. Wishing him success in leading Delhi’s progress, and furthering global ties!”Sandhu was succeeded in Washington by Vinay Mohan Kwatra, the current envoy. In Delhi, he took over from Vinai Kumar Saxena, who was appointed lieutenant governor of Ladakh.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Day For Centre’: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Blasts Delimitation ‘Conspiracy’ By Modi GovtIndia Reviews Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request As Dhaka Pushes For TrialAllahabad High Court Directs FIR Against Rahul Gandhi, Revives Dual Citizenship Controversy‘I Saved Millions Of Lives’: ‘Peacemaker’ Donald Trump’s Big India-Pakistan Ceasefire Claim ReturnsTrump Reverses Russian Oil Sanctions Waiver Decision In 48 Hours, India Gets Fresh Buying WindowUkraine Envoy Rustem Umerov Meets Jaishankar, Ajit Doval In Delhi To Discuss Peace RoadmapModi Govt’s Women Quota Bill Crashes In Lok Sabha, Fails 2/3 Majority TestSad Day For Women’: Priyanka Chaturvedi Breaks With INDIA Bloc In Lok Sabha RowNo Nari Shakti! Women’s Bill Fails Lok Sabha Test, Protest Erupt | ‘Women Won’t Forgive’Trump’s Expected Pakistan Visit May Include Kashmir Talks, Report Fuels Speculation123PhotostoriesThings you should NEVER Do on Akshaya Tritiya based on your birth dateTop 5 residential hotspots in Nagpur for upscale living and long-term investment potentialIndian dishes astronauts took to space and why they chose themLucknow-Kanpur expressway set to open: Rs 275 toll for one-way, Rs 415 for return within 24 hoursFrom rejecting the role of Jethalal in TMKOC to building a net worth of Rs 40 crore: Lesser-known facts about Ali AsgarNayanthara and Vignesh Shivan on Parenting: 6 Ways to raise kinder, more patient kids8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin C DeficiencyWhy traditional Indian homes were naturally cooler and what modern designs can learn from them7 traditional Indian summer drinks people drank before refrigeratorsIndia’s NCD crisis is deepening and lifestyle management is the missing link123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayAnti-Islam influencerNetanyahuSue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event
NEW DELHI: Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s former ambassador to the United States, on Saturday expressed “great satisfaction and happiness” after US President Donald Trump congratulated him on his appointment as Delhi’s lieutenant governor and lauded his “deep commitment” to strengthening bilateral ties.Also Read | ‘Seasoned diplomat’: Trump congratulates former envoy to US Taranjit Sandhu on Delhi LG appointmentSandhu was appointed Delhi’s lieutenant governor in March. He served as India’s envoy in Washington from February 2020 to March 2024. After retiring, he contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Amritsar constituency on the ruling BJP’s ticket, but lost.“The relationship between the United States and India is in the national interests of both countries. The prime minister’s (Narendra Modi) thinking is very clear—he has outlined it many times. I was simply doing my job. It is certainly a matter of satisfaction and happiness that President Trump, in his post, acknowledged that,” the former diplomat told reporters when asked about Trump’s Truth Social message.He added, “But I would also like to mention that President Biden has spoken about the good work as well. Under the prime minister’s guidance, we were able to transform the relationship into a partnership.”Trump was US president when Sandhu was appointed India’s ambassador to Washington, but he lost the November 2020 election to Joe Biden. The Republican returned to the White House after defeating then-Vice President Kamala Harris in November 2024, following Biden’s decision not to seek a second term.On Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social: “Congratulations to Taranjit Sandhu on becoming the new Lt Governor of Delhi! As a seasoned Diplomat and former Ambassador to the United States, he has always shown deep commitment to strengthening the U.S.-India relationship. Wishing him success in leading Delhi’s progress, and furthering global ties!”Sandhu was succeeded in Washington by Vinay Mohan Kwatra, the current envoy. In Delhi, he took over from Vinai Kumar Saxena, who was appointed lieutenant governor of Ladakh.
