US “expects” accountability from Indian government on Sikh assassination plot

WASHINGTON: United States (US) Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel stated that the US “expects” accountability from the Indian government regarding the assassination attempt on Sikh nationalist in New York on Wednesday.

During a recent press briefing held in Washington on Wednesday, Patel responded to inquiries and concerns stemming from a “Washington Post” report outlining a conspiracy by the Indian government to assassinate a Sikh nationalist, who is also a US citizen.

Read more: Investigation into Sikh activist’s assassination attempt by Indian government on-going: US State Department

The report alleges that Indian Prime Minister Modi’s inner circle, including the spy chief and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval were aware of assassination plot on a Sikh nationalist in New York.

The deputy spokesperson stated that the US “expects” accountability from Indian government based on the findings of an inquiry the Indian government itself was looking into. “We continue to expect accountability from the government of India based on their results of the Indian inquiry committee’s work”.

Patel assured that the issue was ‘actively’ being discussed with Indian officials and that inquiries from the Indian government for additional information were noted. The deputy spokesperson said that US concerns would continue to be raised directly with Indian authorities.

“We are regularly working with [Indian authorities] and inquiring for additional updates. [We are] also continuing to raise our concerns directly with the Indian government at senior levels”.

However, Vedant Patel was quick to state that he had no further comments on the matter, directing any inquiries for additional details to the country’s Justice Department.

“But beyond that, I am not going to parse into this further and defer it to the Department of Justice”.

On the matter of what initiatives or strategies the United States has taken to bolster defense cooperation with Pakistan, Patel stated that the two countries had a “shared interest” in combating security threats in South Asia

He detailed on the initiatives undertaken by the United States to enhance security for Pakistan in accordance with international laws and while upholding the human rights of every individual.

Read more: Indian government official directed plot to assassinate Sikh American in US

“Pakistan and the US have a shared interest in combating threats to regional security. We support Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of its citizens in a manner that promotes rules of law and protection of human rights.

“Our partnership with Pakistan on security issues includes a high level counter-terrorism dialogue, funding robust counter-terrorism capacity and building programmes, and supporting a series of US and Pakistan military-to-military engagements”.