Positive step: Garcetti on India's probe panel report

An Indian enquiry committee's report on the foiled plot to kill US-based pro-Khalistan 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.

- Rezaul H Laskar

NEW DELHI:

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 pro-Khalistan 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."