” Investigation into Sikh activist’s assassination attempt by Indian government on-going: US State Department ” | GNN INFO

WASHINGTON: The United States (US) State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the investigation into the assassination attempt on a Sikh activist by the Indian government in the US is still awaited, despite a lapse of five months since the assassination attempt.

During a recent press briefing on Wednesday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller was asked about the investigation looking into the assassination attempt on a Sikh activist in the US by the Indian government.

Miller confirmed that the investigation is still underway, indicating a continuation of diplomatic monitoring and engagement regarding the incident. “My understanding is the investigation is on-going”, he said.

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Authorities in the United States on November 2023 claimed to have stopped an assassination attempt on a Sikh separatist living in the US. In a report produced by the US government, it was suggested that Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was the intended target.

Earlier in June 2023, tensions escalated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly alleged Indian involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Nijjar was shot outside a Sikh gurdwara in a Vancouver suburb, and India had labeled him as a “terrorist” three years ago.

Canada suspended talks on a proposed trade treaty with India and postponed a trade mission scheduled for October. Prime Minister Trudeau openly voiced concerns about alleged Indian government involvement in Nijjar’s killing, indicating a significant strain in bilateral relations between the two countries.

On a question regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulatory message to Shehbaz Sharif upon his election as Pakistan’s new Prime Minister, Miller warmly welcomed Modi’s gesture, stating the United States’ commitment to fostering productive and peaceful relations between India and Pakistan.

“We welcome this gesture of the Indian Prime Minister statement. The United States values it relationship with both India and Pakistan. And we want to see them to have a productive and peaceful relationship”, he said.

In response to queries regarding potential talks between the two South Asian nations, particularly concerning Kashmir, Miller expressed the US’s endorsement of future dialogues.

However, he stated that the pace, scope, and nature of any discussions remains within the purview of India and Pakistan to decide independently.

“of course, we will welcome productive and peaceful talks between India and Pakistan but the pace, scope and character of any dialogue is a matter for India and Pakistan to determine”, he stated.