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Ex-US Envoy Taranjit Sandhu Named Delhi's New Lieutenant Governor

Former Indian Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, has been appointed as the new Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, replacing Vinai Kumar Saxena. The appointment is part of a wider reshuffle of Governors in several states, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Bihar. Sandhu, a career diplomat who joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1988, retired and entered politics with the BJP ahead of the 2024 elections. Vinai Kumar Saxena, the outgoing Delhi L-G, has been appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.

Key Points: Taranjit Sandhu Appointed Delhi's New Lieutenant Governor

  • Major gubernatorial reshuffle across states
  • Sandhu served as India's US Ambassador
  • He joined BJP before 2024 polls
  • Saxena moved to Ladakh L-G post
2 min read

Former Indian envoy to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu appointed Delhi's new L-G

Former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, replaces Vinai Kumar Saxena as Delhi's Lieutenant Governor in a major administrative reshuffle.

"Sandhu is credited with playing a key role in opening the Indian Embassy in Ukraine. - Report"

New Delhi, March 6

Former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu has been appointed the new Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

Taranjit Singh Sandhu will replace former Delhi L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena, who has been serving at the post since May 26, 2022, the Rashtrapati Bhavan noted on Thursday.

During his tenure as Delhi L-G, Vinai Kumar Saxena made his role much more vocal than his predecessors.

Along with major rejig in Delhi, Governors of several other states were also changed with Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi replacing C.V. Ananda Bose in West Bengal. Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd) has been named as new Governor of Bihar.

Taranjit Singh Sandhu is a former Indian diplomat who served as India's Ambassador to the US from February 2020 to January 31, 2024.

Sandhu, who joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1988, is credited with playing a key role in opening the Indian Embassy in Ukraine.

He served as the head of the political and administration wing at the Indian Embassy in Ukraine.

From serving as First Secretary at the Indian Embassy in Washington, to Consul General of India in Frankfurt, and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Washington D.C., Sandhu held several key diplomatic assignments during his career spanning more than three-and-a-half decades.

After retiring from the IFS, Sandhu joined the Bharatiya Janata Party months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP fielded Sandhu as its Lok Sabha candidate from Amritsar against Congress leader Gurjit Singh Aujla.

Taranjit Singh Sandhu graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from St. Stephen's College at Delhi, and later completed his Master of Arts (MA) from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.

C.V. Ananda Bose tendered his resignation earlier on Thursday which was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu, media reported, citing a communique issued by her office.

Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will discharge the functions of Governor of Tamil Nadu, it said.

Delhi's current L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena has been appointed as Ladakh's L-G in place of Kavinder Gupta, who has been named Himachal Pradesh Governor.

The above appointments will take effect from the dates they will assume charge of their respective offices, the statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting to see a career diplomat take this post. Hope he brings a more diplomatic and less confrontational approach compared to the previous L-G. Delhi needs stability and cooperation between the L-G and elected government.
R
Rohit P
St. Stephen's and JNU alumni! That's a solid educational background. His experience in Ukraine during a critical time shows he can handle pressure. Best wishes to him for his new role.
S
Sarah B
As someone who followed his work in Washington, he was seen as a capable and articulate representative of India. Curious to see how those diplomatic skills translate to domestic administration in Delhi.
N
Nikhil C
The timing is interesting, right after the elections. While he has an impressive resume, I hope this appointment is based on merit and the needs of Delhi, not just political alignment. The capital deserves non-partisan governance.
K
Kavya N
Major bureaucratic reshuffle happening. Hope the new team works efficiently for development. Delhi's issues like pollution, water, and transport need urgent attention. Let's see what the new L-G prioritizes.

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