Mission Punjab, not Pannun

There is a need to focus back on Punjab. Working with credible political forces there, even adversaries, would serve the national interest better than fighting in the courtrooms of New York

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These are early days in the unfolding situation, but other things can safely be said about India-US relations in the wake of the Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issue.

One, both sides do not want this to spin out of control or onto an emotional plane. Accordingly, both have made sure that temperatures do not rise, each keeping emotion out of its argument.

Two, each is giving the other political and diplomatic space. India to the US by expressing concern over the charges, not dismissing these outright as fake, and promising a high-level inquiry.

The US to India by saying it appreciates this response, that the inquiry is a positive step, and that it awaits the outcome.

And three, both sides now stand reminded and alerted that behind the ceremony and celebration of their "essential strategic partnership”, summits and joint declarations - they have their own compulsions and sometimes contradictory needs in the national interest. This partnership, deep as it goes, is a far cry from the Five Eyes kind of equation.

That said, we would like to believe at this point that there is a de-escalation of sorts on the way.

It isn't fair for me to make any guesses as to why, but there has to be a reason why our warrior news TV channels have mostly overlooked the issue, which would be so tempting for their usual primetime shoutrages.

What this relative quiet does is give both sides the diplomatic space they need to protect their relationship.

This space and respite should be even more valuable for us in India, and to the Narendra Modi government. Because whatever the challenge of Sikh radicalism and separatism might be, it is India's problem much more than America or Canada's.

What the self-styled Khalistanis say or do there does irritate and anger India. But anything substantive any of these can do will be on Indian territory, mostly in Punjab. And within the Sikh community.