WASHINGTON: India’s new Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who has been a popular and known diplomat in Washington DC, reiterated that there was an “unlimited potential” in Indo-US relations. He said both the countries were natural strategic partners as they were both vibrant democracies.
Welcoming the guests at his new residence, the India House, after taking over the new job, Sandhu said the two countries will stand shoulder to shoulder to combat terrorism and the Jihadi culture that is invading the world.
Ambassador Sandhu said both the counties were open and multi-cultural societies, based on the rule of law, and partnership today, was as natural as, it was seamless, based on the strong people-to-people connections. “We have become, global strategic partners, and our collaboration, cuts across spheres of activity, which was unimaginable two decades ago,” he added.
Even the rain and cold wind could not dampen the enthusiasm of the Indian diaspora who came in large numbers to welcome the new ambassador, who was the deputy ambassador just a few years ago before going to Sri Lanka as a High Commissioner. The 1988-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, presented his credentials to President Donald Trump in his Oval Office of the White House on February 6.
Ambassador Sandhu said when he was here as a young diplomat in 1997, he always sensed the potential of the US-India partnership, and wondered how we could move forward.
He said the relations between our two governments have found a new momentum, getting its energy, from the warm friendship between our leaders. The US President and the Indian Prime Minister have met four times last year. “The potential for co-operation, between United States and India, is limitless,” he added.
Relating some statistics, the new envoy said that there were more than 2000 US companies have a presence in India. Over 200 Indian Companies have invested US$18 billion in the US, creating more than, 100,000 direct jobs. Two-way investment, between India and US reached, US $ 60 billion in 2018. The bilateral trade was growing at 10 per cent, on a year-to-year basis, and reached, $ 160 billion in 2019.
India was the fourth largest automobile market, in the world, and the 7th largest for manufacturer of commercial vehicles. US Companies like Ford were running successful operations, in India. Meanwhile, Indian educational institutes have produced the minds, that now lead the global corporations, like Google, Microsoft, MasterCard, Nokia, IBM, Ambassador added. He said India was the largest cinema producer in the world, more Bollywood films were watched by people than from any other industry. There were many more Bollywood-Hollywood collaborations. Ambassador said he was very hopeful as there was a new India, which was vibrant, fiercely democratic, young, and aspirational, which was shaping India-US relationship. He said Prime Minister Modi set the goal for India to grow, from a $3 trillion economy to a $5 trillion economy by 2024 and a $10 trillion economy by 2030. He said the US was a preferred partner for trade and business. Welcoming the diaspora, the Indian ambassador said the people from all areas, especially business class across both countries have contributed so much, to our relationship. entrepreneurs, and businessmen, and women, have been the key, stakeholders, of our relationship. The guest included Indian diaspora from all walks and areas, many traveling from other US states, including New York, New Jersey, Chicago and North and South Carolinas. Many US officials from the State Department and Universities also participated in the gathering. |
