New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India ‘would definitely look into’ the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on US soil.
Days after US authorities raised the allegation, PM Modi for the first time responded to it during an interview with UK-based daily The Financial Times.
‘If someone gives us any information, we would definitely look into it… If a citizen of ours has done anything good or bad, we are ready to look into it. Our commitment is to the rule of law,’ he was quoted as saying.
Seeking to clear the air, PM Modi said that the incident will not adversely impact on Indo-US ties.
Expanding further on it, PM Modi said that India was ‘deeply concerned about the activities of certain extremist groups based overseas’.
Obviously referring to pro-Khalistanists, Modi added that ‘These elements, under the guise of freedom of expression, have engaged in intimidation and incited violence.’
Pointing at ties between two countries, PM Modi stressed on the ‘strong bipartisan support’ to strengthen the relation is a clear indicator of ‘mature and stable partnership’.
‘I don’t think it is appropriate to link a few incidents with diplomatic relations between the two countries,’ he reportedly said.
Touching upon the broader aspect of international relations, he said absolute agreement on all matters is not a prerequisite for collaboration.
PM Modi’s comments might be in the context of India’s independent stand in the Russia-Ukraine war against the US interest while both countries share concerns about China’s ‘aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region’.