June 27 :
A top source in the Joe Biden administration said on June 26 that the US has repeatedly asked India for updates regarding the probe into the purportedly thwarted conspiracy to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh rebel. During a media briefing, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell echoed the call for responsibility in the matter. The United States has brought up the matter directly with the highest levels of the Indian government, as Campbell went on to say.
He went on to state that they have had fruitful discussions with India over the matter and that the Indian government has been attentive to their concerns.
We have repeatedly demanded updates on the investigations of the Indian committee of inquiry and have made it plain that we want the Indian government to answer for their actions. In addition, Campbell stated that they have brought up the matter with the Indian government at the highest levels.
As for whether the'murder-for-hire' plot involving Pannun was broached at the talks between him and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and their Indian equivalents, Campbell was answering a query about it.
In a federal court in Manhattan on June 17, an Indian man named Nikhil Gupta pleaded not guilty to charges related to a plot to assassinate American Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. American and Canadian citizen Pannun was allegedly plotted to have his life taken in November by an Indian government official, according to US authorities. Gupta is alleged to have been a part of the scheme.
Gupta was apprehended by Czech officials in June after traveling to Prague from India. Last month, a Czech court denied his request to stay extradition to the US. On June 14th, he was later extradited to the United States for further legal proceedings.
While the US does have "some concerns" regarding India's involvement with Russia in the military and technology sectors, Campbell emphasized that Washington has faith in New Delhi to progress their collaboration in important areas.
He went on to say that the US and India have an open and honest communication about their respective connections with important countries, including India's ties to Russia. In an interview, Campbell said that the United States is looking to strengthen its technical ties with India.
"We have been clear which areas are affected by the continuing relationship between India and Russia, militarily and technologically," according to him. We have voiced our concerns and will do what we can to lessen the impact of some of those interactions. However, he did mention that the United States has faith in India and is looking to strengthen its technological cooperation within the framework of its many relationships.
Since India and Russia have such tight military and technological ties, the senior US official voiced reservations about sharing critical technologies with Washington.
What I want to stress is that both India and the United States are major world powers. "It is not unexpected that there would be areas where we may have perhaps different perspectives, views, historical ties, despite the fact that we have many areas of alignment," Campbell added.
According to Campbell, a key component of a successful strategic partnership is an open dialogue about differences of opinion, with the goal of resolving or at least minimizing them whenever possible.
