The ties between the two countries have evolved into a partnership that is a win-win situation for both of them, he told reporters, emphasising that its benefits should reach different parts of India like Amritsar in terms of employment opportunities and development.
The former IFS officer thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and party president J P Nadda for his political innings.
Tawde said the presence of someone like Sandhu with a successful diplomatic background in the BJP will strengthen the party.
The BJP has been making concerted efforts to broaden its support among Sikhs, who are in a majority in Punjab, and is hopeful of making a strong impact in the state in the Lok Sabha polls.
The ruling party is especially keen in winning back Amritsar, a seat it has not won since Navjot Singh Sidhu bagged it last in 2009. Sidhu is now in the Congress and the seat is currently represented by its member Gurjeet Singh Aujla.
BJP's Arun Jaitley and Hardeep Singh Puri, currently a Union minister, lost in the polls from there in 2014 and 2019 respectively.
The party believes Sandhu, who is from the city and comes from a respected Jat Sikh family, may turn out to be its best bet to win back the seat, and he has been on tour across the constituency for months to make connection with different segments of voters.
Published 19 March 2024, 09:52 IST