The White House emphasised the strategic partnership between the United States and India while urging New Delhi to ensure accountability in the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an American citizen.
National Security spokesperson John Kirby addressed reporters at a White House news conference, highlighting the importance of the bilateral relationship. “India is a strategic partner. We’re deepening that strategic partnership. They’re a member of the Quad in the Pacific. We participate with them on a range of issues and we want to see that continue unabated. That said, at the same time, we certainly recognise the seriousness of these allegations,” Kirby said.
Responding to a query on the potential impact on the India-US relationship, Kirby stressed the need for a thorough investigation. “We want it fully investigated and those responsible to be held properly accountable. It’s under active investigation. We’ve said that we’re glad that our Indian counterparts are taking it seriously and doing that. We want those responsible for these attacks to be held fully accountable, but I won’t get ahead of an investigation that isn’t complete,” he added.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday that an inquiry committee is looking into inputs shared by the US related to the nexus of organised crime and trafficking in the context of an alleged murder attempt on a US national and that Canada had given no evidence about its allegations, so the question of equitable treatment to the two countries does not arise.
The minister was responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha by CPI (M) MP John Brittas about media reports of the US linking an Indian official to an alleged murder attempt on a US national and government’s rebuttal to Canada’s charges.
He said the inputs shared by the US have a bearing on the country’s national security and an inquiry committee has been constituted.
“Insofar as the US is concerned, certain inputs were given to us as part of our security cooperation with the US. Those inputs were of concern to us because they related to the nexus of organised crime, trafficking and other matters. So, because it has a bearing on our own national security, it was decided to institute an inquiry into the matter and an inquiry committee has been constituted. Insofar as Canada is concerned, no specific evidence or inputs were provided to us,” the minister said.
“So, the question of equitable treatment to two countries one of whom has provided inputs and one of whom has not, does not arise,” he said.
Brittas asked if India was not giving equal treatment to two countries.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during a media briefing last month that during the course of discussions with the United States on bilateral security cooperation, the US side shared some inputs pertaining to the nexus between organised criminals, gun runners, terrorists, and other extremists.
“We take, of course, such inputs very seriously, and a high-level inquiry committee has been constituted to look into all the relevant aspects of the matter. And necessary follow-up action will be taken based on the findings of the enquiry committee” the spokesperson had said.
The spokesperson also referred to the US Department of Justice unsealing an indictment against an Indian national for his alleged involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate a US-based Sikh separatist.
