Information related to investigation in Pannu case sought from India, America said- want accountability

New Delhi: A senior US official said on Wednesday that his/her country has consistently insisted on India providing information related to its investigation into the alleged foiled plot to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu and made it clear that Washington wants accountability in the matter. US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said that the US has directly raised the issue at the highest level with the Indian government.

‘India has taken note of our concerns’
Campbell made these remarks in a press conference on his/her and US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan’s visit to India last week. he/she said, “We have had a constructive dialogue with India on this subject and I would say that they have taken note of our concerns.” The Deputy Foreign Minister said, “We have made it clear that we want accountability from the Indian government and we have consistently sought information about the investigation of the Indian investigative committee.”

‘Issue raised before Indian Government’
he/she said, ‘And all I would say is that we have raised this issue directly with the Indian government…at the highest level between both sides.’ Campbell was responding to a question whether the issue of a conspiracy to assassinate Pannu was raised during the meetings he/she and Sullivan had with their Indian counterparts.

In November last year, US prosecutors accused Indian national Nikhil Gupta of working with an Indian government employee in a thwarted plot to assassinate Pannu in New York. Pannu, wanted in India on terrorism charges, has dual citizenship of the US and Canada.

(With agency inputs)