"Indian community in US...anchor of fantastic India-US relationship", says outgoing Indian envoy Sandhu

He further said that the Indian-Americans have played a significant role in the countries' relationship, adding that earlier the relationship was different and were facing a lot of challenges.

"I did not realize that I had so many friends but the farewells are indicating that. It reminds me that time really flies so fast. The Indian community here has been an anchor of the fantastic relationship that has emerged... Indian Americans have played a very significant role in making us arrive where we are today, the 25 years spent on India-us relations. The relationship was very different. At times, it was very frosty, there were so many challenges that came...," Sandhu highlighted.

The Sikhs of America, Inc. along with the US India Sikh Alliance, Inc, National Council of Asian Indian Associations, Inc, Global Assamese Entrepreneurship Forum, US India SME Council, Global Haryana and Overseas Friends of BJP, organised the farewell reception for envoy Sandhu.

Later, while addressing the ceremony, he thanked everyone for their presence and for hosting the reception.

As the event began with enthusiasm, everyone stood up for the national anthem and sang it together.

They also played a video compilation of Sandhu's journey as Indian Ambassador to the US, which included snippets of his meetings with US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Donald Trump and various other world leaders.

The video further showed the events he attended during his tenure as an envoy.

Further, he stressed that the strength of the India-US relationship is reflected by the people present here.

"Last time when I was appointed, I told my leadership, that whenever you sent me, some crisis will come. But, the fact is that in all those crises, we were able to move forward. That's the strength of the India-US relationship and that strength is reflected by all of you sitting there," he said.

The envoy highlighted that over 275000 Indian students are studying in different universities in the US, and are bringing value and competitive age to the US economy.

"Even today, we have more than 275000 Indian students in different universities, and two-thirds of them are in STEM areas, like all of you, they bring value and competitive age to the US economy, they are a productive part of this country," he added.

Moreover, Sandhu emphasised that today, India is undergoing revolutionary changes.

"India today is undergoing revolutionary changes, in the world more than 50 per cent of financial transactions happen in India, so certainly it is a revolutionary change," he said.

He later urged everyone that the people sitting here with the expertise, should go and help Punjab and Amritsar.

It has been a series of bittersweet adieus for the seasoned and skilled Indian ambassador Sandhu who will soon depart for Delhi later this month. Sandhu served the Indian Foreign Services for 35 years and was posted in the United States four times, including three in Washington DC.

Sandhu assumed charge as the Indian Ambassador to the United States in February 2020. Sandhu's most immediate task after being appointed was then-President Donald Trump's India visit, followed by keeping up the momentum in bilateral ties.

He is one of the most experienced Indian diplomats on US affairs, having served in the Indian Mission in Washington DC twice earlier. He was Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Washington DC from July 2013 to January 2017.

Earlier, he was the First Secretary (Political) at the Embassy of India, Washington DC, responsible for liaison with the United States Congress from 1997 to 2000. He has also been at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York, from July 2005 to February 2009.

He came to Washington from Sri Lanka where he had a remarkably successful tenure as the High Commissioner from January 2017 to January 2020. Sandhu was the Consul General of India in Frankfurt from September 2011 to July 2013.

Besides this, he has worked in the Ministry of External Affairs in various capacities - as Joint Secretary (United Nations) from March 2009 to August 2011; and later as Joint Secretary (Administration) heading the Human Resource Division. (ANI)