The United States has urged India to take the allegations made by Canada regarding an assassination plot seriously, emphasizing the potential impact on diplomatic relations. The State Department’s spokesman, Matthew Miller, called for India’s cooperation with Canada’s investigation, stressing the need to address the allegations to prevent further escalation of tensions. Tensions between the United States and its partners, India and Canada, have escalated following Canada’s claim that the Indian government was involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an advocate for an independent Sikh state, outside a Sikh temple in Canada. The United States has also alleged a similar, unsuccessful assassination plot by India on US soil, but has handled the matter more discreetly.
India responded by forming an “Enquiry Committee” and sending it to Washington to discuss the case, a move that underscores the need for transparency in the investigation. The State Department has stated that India conveyed its commitment to continuing efforts to investigate other linkages and will take necessary follow-up steps. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby mentioned that India’s decision to send an Enquiry Committee to the United States shows their seriousness in addressing the matter.
The United States has been seeking to strengthen its relationship with India for over two decades, considering it a natural partner in the face of a rising China, despite concerns raised by rights groups about a shrinking democratic space under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
