US seeking accountability from India in Pannun case, says official
US seeking accountability from India in Pannun case, says official
NEW DELHI: The US has been consistently asking New Delhi for updates on its probe into the alleged involvement of an Indian official in the murder-for-hire plot against Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, as it seeks accountability from India, deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell said on Wednesday.
Campbell, who met foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra and deputy NSA Vikrim Misri during his visit to India last week, further said "Indian colleagues" are looking carefully at what potential "institutional reforms" might be necessary in the wake of some of the allegations and reports in the media. He was responding to a question on whether the US would accept the unconfirmed 'rogue agent theory' reported in the media.
The remarks are significant as India has so far said nothing about the outcome of its probe. Campbell said India has been responsive to concerns raised by the US about the foiled attempt to murder Pannun, a US national.
According to Campbell, the two countries are presently having a constructive dialogue on the issue. "We've made clear that we seek accountability from the govt of India," he said in a virtual interaction with Indian journalists from Washington. "And we have consistently asked for updates on the Indian investigation. And I would just simply say we raised the issues directly with the Indian govt at the most senior levels."
Campbell was in India last week with NSA Jake Sullivan for talks mainly focused on the initiative on critical and emerging technology (iCET). This is the first time either of them has spoken publicly about the plot since the visit. The US has officially not confirmed if the Pannun issue was raised in Sullivan and Campbell's engagements here.
Asked if India's ties with Russia could come in the way of cooperation in sensitive technology sectors, Campbell said the US has expressed concern about it and the two sides remain clear what areas are affected by the continued military relationship between India and Russia.
"I think we will take what steps we can to mitigate some of those engagements. And we have expressed some concerns, but at the same time, we have confidence and trust in India and we're seeking to advance our partnership in technology," said the official.
"I do want to underscore that the US and India are both great powers. We have many areas of alignment, but it is not surprising that there would be areas where we had different perspectives. And I think in the context of our strategic partnership, what's been important is our ability to share views on areas where we occasionally have disagreement, and seek where possible to narrow those areas where there are differences," added Campbell.
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