WASHINGTON: The Biden administration is turning the heat on New Delhi over the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani militant Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, demanding through its lawmakers action against Indian government officials involved in the episode, and warning that lack of corrective steps could damage bilateral ties.
That the incident has taken on a serious turn was evident in a statement released on Friday by five Indian-American lawmakers, all Democrats, who revealed that the administration had provided a classified briefing to them on what they characterised as a “murder-for-hire plot of an American citizen.” The statement suggested the briefing had convinced them of the culpability of the unnamed Indian official or officials who appears to have triggered off alarm in Washington.
“As Members of Congress, the safety and well-being of our constituents is our most important priority. The allegations made in the (Nikhil Gupta) indictment are deeply concerning,” the lawmakers said, while asserting that while they welcomed the New Delhi’s announcement of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the murder plot “it is critical that India fully investigate, hold those responsible, including Indian government officials, accountable, and provide assurances that this will not happen again.”
“We believe the US–India partnership has made meaningful impact on the lives of both of our people, but we are concerned that the actions outlined in the indictment could, if not appropriately addressed, cause significant damage to this very consequential partnership,” they added.
The statement was released by Congressman Ami Bera of California, whose congressional district in Sacramento county has a significant and vocal Sikh population. House Representatives Ro Khanna, also from California, Pramila Jayapal (Washington state), Raja Krishnamoorthi (Illinois) and Shri Thanedar (Michigan) are the other signatories.
The administration’s decision to brief the so-called Samosa Caucus, comprising a largely liberal cohort, despite New Delhi’s effort to de-escalate the matter by announcing an investigation, marks a sharp setback in bilateral engagement in the law and order and terrorism sphere. While the political and economic engagement remains upbeat, things have apparently soured in terrorism cooperation, where New Delhi believes western powers give too much leeway to anti-India militants who espouse violence by invoking free speech.
That the incident has taken on a serious turn was evident in a statement released on Friday by five Indian-American lawmakers, all Democrats, who revealed that the administration had provided a classified briefing to them on what they characterised as a “murder-for-hire plot of an American citizen.” The statement suggested the briefing had convinced them of the culpability of the unnamed Indian official or officials who appears to have triggered off alarm in Washington.
“As Members of Congress, the safety and well-being of our constituents is our most important priority. The allegations made in the (Nikhil Gupta) indictment are deeply concerning,” the lawmakers said, while asserting that while they welcomed the New Delhi’s announcement of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the murder plot “it is critical that India fully investigate, hold those responsible, including Indian government officials, accountable, and provide assurances that this will not happen again.”
“We believe the US–India partnership has made meaningful impact on the lives of both of our people, but we are concerned that the actions outlined in the indictment could, if not appropriately addressed, cause significant damage to this very consequential partnership,” they added.
The statement was released by Congressman Ami Bera of California, whose congressional district in Sacramento county has a significant and vocal Sikh population. House Representatives Ro Khanna, also from California, Pramila Jayapal (Washington state), Raja Krishnamoorthi (Illinois) and Shri Thanedar (Michigan) are the other signatories.
The administration’s decision to brief the so-called Samosa Caucus, comprising a largely liberal cohort, despite New Delhi’s effort to de-escalate the matter by announcing an investigation, marks a sharp setback in bilateral engagement in the law and order and terrorism sphere. While the political and economic engagement remains upbeat, things have apparently soured in terrorism cooperation, where New Delhi believes western powers give too much leeway to anti-India militants who espouse violence by invoking free speech.