Sandhu received one of the highest honours when Andrea Meza of Mexico, the previous Miss Universe, crowned the 21-year-old on Sunday night at the 70th annual event.
Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane and Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira, who were also in the final three contenders, were both outshined by Sandhu.
Meanwhile, many contestants boycotted the pageant in protest of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
Miss South Africa, the competition’s second runner-up, was likewise not backed by her own government.
In the pageant, the participants competed in a variety of categories, including national costume displays, swimwear, and public speaking demonstrations.
The final 10 finalists wore magnificent gold, silver, and bronze gowns that wowed the audience.
