Washington: Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that India's decision to initiate an investigation into the US-alleged involvement of an Indian official in a thwarted plot to assassinate a Khalistani separatist in the United States is commendable.
Blinken, while travelling in Tel Aviv, Israel, expressed anticipation for the investigation's findings.
"This is an ongoing legal matter. So you'll understand I can't comment on it in detail. I can say that this is something we take very seriously. A number of us have raised this directly with the Indian Government in past weeks," Blinken affirmed.
John Kirby, speaking at a press briefing, emphasised the US's commitment to bolstering its strategic partnership with India while addressing the seriousness with which the US views the US Department of Justice's indictment against an Indian national linked to an alleged assassination plot.
"India remains a strategic partner, and we are going to continue to work to improve and strengthen that strategic partnership with India," Kirby said. "At the same time, we take this very seriously. These allegations and this investigation, we take very seriously."
Kirby underscored the importance of holding accountable anyone responsible for the alleged crimes and acknowledged India's proactive steps in investigating the matter. "We have been clear that we want to see anybody that's responsible for these alleged crimes to be held properly accountable," he added.
The US Department of Justice unveiled an indictment against an Indian national, alleging involvement in a foiled plan to assassinate a US-based Sikh Separatist Movement leader in New York. The indictment claimed that an Indian government employee, referred to as CC-1, recruited Nikhil Gupta to arrange the hit, an act thwarted by US authorities.
Furthermore, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed concern over the case filed against an individual in the US court, allegedly linking the person to an Indian official, which contradicts government policy.
"We cannot share any further information on such security matters. As regards the case against an individual that has been filed in a US court allegedly linking him to an Indian official, this is a matter of concern. We have said and let me reiterate that this is contrary to government policy," said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.
He highlighted the severity of the issue and the formation of a high-level committee to address the nexus between organised crime, trafficking, gun running, and extremism at an international level, asserting that the investigation would guide their course of action.