Ep 182 - Punjab's Drug Menace, Law & Order, Jobs, Khalistan, Amritsar Roots Ft. Taranjit Singh Sandhu

Taranjit Singh Sandhu is a former Indian diplomat who served as India's ambassador to the United States from 2020 to 2024. He played a key role in the establishment of the Indian embassy in Ukraine. He also served as the First Secretary in Washington, held the position of Consul General in Frankfurt, and was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Throughout his career, he held various key positions within the Ministry of External Affairs in India.

In March 2024, Taranjit Singh Sandhu joined the BJP and was selected as the party's candidate for the religiously important Amritsar constituency in the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, former ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu discusses the law and order situation in Punjab, addressing the drug crisis affecting the state's youth.

He criticizes the Aam Aadmi Party for failing to manage the situation and provide jobs for Punjab's younger generation. According to Sandhu, there is widespread dissatisfaction with AAP's performance, leading to a strong anti-incumbency sentiment in the northern state.

Additionally, Taranjit Singh Sandhu outlines his vision for transforming Amritsar into a tourism and start-up hub to boost the city's economy.

(0:00) Introduction0:35Diplomat Turned Politician

(2:52) Why Joined Politics

(4:20) Family Roots to Amritsar

(9:53) SGPC Connection with Family

(15:00) Parents' Legacy17:53Higher Education in Delhi

(18:35) BJP's Amritsar Jinx

(20:58) Problems in Amritsar

(23:25) Unemployment in Amritsar

(26:51) Startup Culture in Punjab

(29:30) VFS & U.S. Consulate in Amritsar

(31:25) Agriculture in Punjab

(36:16) Punjab Cargo Facility

(41:15) PM Modi's Policies

(42:13) Punjab's AAP Sarkar

(45:48) On Sukhpal Khera Row

(48:19) Amritpal Singh Poll Debut

(51:02) SAD-BJP Breakup

(52:17) Friendship with Sukhbir Badal

(56:19) PM's Sikh Diaspora Connect

(58:35) India-U.S. Ties