A Royal and Political Love Story: The Enduring Relationships of Captain Amarinder Singh with Preneet Kaur and Aroosa Alam

Captain Amarinder Singh, a prominent Indian politician, former Chief Minister of Punjab, and scion of the erstwhile Patiala royal family, has led a life marked by significant public service and a notable personal journey. His romantic history, particularly his long-standing marriage and a much-discussed friendship, has often been a subject of public interest, reflecting a blend of traditional values and modern complexities.

Singh's primary and publicly acknowledged relationship has been with his wife, Preneet Kaur. Their marriage, arranged in the traditional Indian manner, took place in October 1964. Preneet Kaur, herself a distinguished politician who has served as a Member of Parliament and a Minister of State, hails from a respected Kahlon Jat Sikh family. Their union brought together two influential families and solidified a powerful political and social alliance.

Throughout their decades-long marriage, Preneet Kaur and Captain Amarinder Singh have navigated the public eye, raising two children: a son, Raninder Singh (born 1967), and a daughter, Jai Inder Kaur (born 1966). Both children have also entered public life, continuing the family's legacy. The couple's shared political career, with Preneet often campaigning alongside her husband, presented a united front, despite reports of personal challenges.

Sources close to the family and Khushwant Singh's 2017 biography, The People's Maharaja, indicated that while the couple may have "drifted apart after two decades" of marriage, they remained "united in politics." This pragmatic approach allowed them to maintain their public and professional partnership, even as their personal dynamic evolved. Preneet Kaur has consistently supported her husband's political endeavors, often taking an active role in his campaigns and public appearances.

A significant aspect of Captain Amarinder Singh's personal life that garnered widespread media attention is his close friendship with Pakistani journalist Aroosa Alam. Their association began in 2004 when Singh visited Pakistan, and their bond deepened after a South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) function in Jalandhar in 2006. Alam, a former defense journalist, became a frequent visitor to India and a constant presence in Singh's social circle.

Their relationship, described by Alam as that of "soulmates, not lovers," has been openly acknowledged by both, albeit with careful delineation. In an October 2021 interview, Aroosa Alam stated, > "When I first met him, I was 56 and he was around 66. At such an age, you are not looking for lovers. We were friends, companions and soulmates.” She also mentioned meeting his mother and other family members, indicating a level of acceptance within his broader family circle.

Aroosa Alam became a familiar figure at many of Singh's public events, including his swearing-in ceremony as Chief Minister in 2017 and book launches. This public visibility led to considerable speculation and, at times, controversy. Her consistent visits to India over 16 years were facilitated by due clearances from the Indian government, a point Captain Amarinder Singh frequently emphasized in her defense.

The dynamic between Aroosa Alam and Preneet Kaur has been a subject of much discussion. According to reports from OpIndia, the relationship between Singh and Alam was initially "unacceptable" to Preneet Kaur, who was "profoundly upset" but "eventually came to terms with it." It has been reported that Aroosa Alam generally avoids visiting Patiala, where Preneet Kaur resides, opting instead to stay in Chandigarh during her trips to India, suggesting an unspoken boundary in their complex family arrangement.

In October 2021, the friendship faced renewed scrutiny when Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa initiated a probe into Aroosa Alam's alleged links with Pakistan's ISI. Captain Amarinder Singh vehemently defended Alam, dismissing the allegations as "personal attacks" and asserting that her visits were thoroughly vetted by Indian intelligence agencies. He even shared photographs of Alam with various Indian dignitaries, including Sonia Gandhi, to underscore his point.

Captain Amarinder Singh's romantic narrative is characterized by enduring family ties and an unconventional, publicly acknowledged friendship. His marriage to Preneet Kaur has been a cornerstone of his public and political life, while his bond with Aroosa Alam highlights a personal connection that has transcended national borders and societal norms. This dual aspect of his relationships paints a picture of a public figure whose personal life, though often under scrutiny, has been lived on his own terms, reflecting a blend of tradition, duty, and personal affection.