An Indian inquiry committee’s report on the foiled plot to kill US-based Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a “very positive first step” but doesn’t mark a “closed chapter” for both countries as action remains to be taken, outgoing US ambassador Eric Garcetti said on Thursday, January 16.
Garcetti, a political appointee of US President Joe Biden who is set to step down this week, said in an interview that both countries have a deeper understanding of each other’s perspective on key matters such as New Delhi’s concerns about the activities of pro-Khalistan elements and Washington’s call for accountability and systemic reforms in the wake of the so-called “murder-for-hire” plot.
He said the US remains open to a positive role in helping India and Canada address the fallout of the killing of another Khalistani separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, but made it clear that “a lot of people overplay” the cooperation between the US and Canada as members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.
Asked specifically if the Indian high-powered enquiry committee’s report, announced by the Union home ministry on Wednesday, marked a closed chapter as far as the foiled plot is concerned, Garcetti replied: “I see it as a very positive step. It’s the delivery of what India promised – accountability and systemic reforms. We haven’t seen the report yet and obviously there’s a case still going on in New York.”
Noting that the US and India have covered a lot of ground in the past few years in appreciating each other’s concerns and sensitivities, he said, “When it comes to threats to Indian diplomats like in San Francisco and things like that, there’s really been growth and understanding of the perspective of India and vice versa, when we’ve been very clear about lines that cannot be crossed.
“India has taken that seriously and governments make mistakes. People should be held accountable, and this is a very positive first step.”
He pointed out the legal case in the US on the foiled plot “has its own trajectory” but the Indian enquiry committee’s report “opens up the path”. He added, “It’s not a closed chapter for India or for America, because the report itself says [that it is] recommending action.” This action will have to be taken and US “prosecutors will have to win victories”, he said.
The Union home ministry said on Wednesday that the enquiry committee set up by the government in November 2023 to investigate allegations about the plot to kill Pannun on American soil has recommended legal action against an individual whose “criminal links and antecedents” came to light earlier.