WASHINGTON: The United States has consistently inquired about an investigation into India’s alleged involvement in the attempted assassination of a US citizen on American soil, a top State Department official said on Wednesday.

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell stated in an online news briefing that Indian officials are considering whether the government needs to implement institutional reforms in light of the allegations.

The investigation was initiated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after US prosecutors alleged that his government had attempted to assassinate New York-based Sikh activist and US citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

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In June of last year, Czech officials arrested Indian national Nikhil Gupta for allegedly planning a murder with another Indian citizen. Earlier this month, he was extradited to the US. Gupta, 53, detained in the Czech Republic at the request of American law enforcement, pleaded not guilty when arraigned in a US federal court in Manhattan on June 17.

Deputy Secretary Campbell, commenting on the so-called “murder for hire” plot, told reporters: “We have had constructive dialogue with India on this topic. And I would say that they have been responsive to our concerns.”

“We’ve made clear that we seek accountability from the Government of India, and we have consistently asked for updates on the Indian committee of inquiry’s investigations.”

When asked if the United States was seeking updates from India on the ongoing investigation, he said: “We have raised this issue directly with the Indian Government…at the most senior levels between our two sides.”

The “murder for hire” plot has become a point of contention in the otherwise strong India-US relationship. Despite the Indian government establishing a high-level inquiry committee, details regarding its composition and findings have not been made public. It is understood that the United States has shared information for the committee to investigate.

Campbell said the US side has had a “constructive dialogue” with India on this topic and the Indian side has “been responsive to our concerns”.

“I will say that we also believe that Indian colleagues are looking carefully at what potential institutional reforms might be necessary in the wake of some of these allegations and reports,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2024