Washington

Top US officials bid farewell to outgoing Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu. The event was hosted by the US-India Business Council (USIC) in Washington on Wednesday.

US President Joe Biden’s top national security aide, Kurt Campbell voiced appreciation for the efforts and initiatives undertaken by Ambassador Sandhu during this tenure, particularly his contribution towards enhancing the India-US relations.

I just have a few comments I’d like to make if I could. Very rarely does an Ambassador get to make such a mark on a bilateral relationship. And we’ve all had the benefit of working with the magic that is Ambassador Sandhu, and it’s difficult to put your finger on all the things that make him so successful, Campbell said

First, and perhaps most importantly, his sense of vision. At the very first meeting I had with him, he articulated a view of where he thought US-India relations should go. He recognized the bureaucratic impediments in both of our systems and thought it was important that we drive through them, be relentless and determined, and do it in good cheer. And I was struck by his determination to move in a very forward direction, he said, as he heaped praises for Sandhu at the reception and farewell toast which was organised in honour of Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Wednesday.

Second, he was always thinking about what are the ways to get around problems. How can we advance certain goals if we run into certain difficulties? He had a way of conspiring to bring you into discussions in a way that was incredibly empowering and I think, quite effective, Campbell went on to say.