US Principal Deputy NSA Jonathan Finer has acknowledged India’s efforts to investigate an alleged Indian link to a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist in the United States. Finer conveyed the importance of holding accountable anyone found responsible in the probe during his visit to India. The White House stated that Finer recognized India’s establishment of a committee of enquiry to investigate the “lethal plotting” and emphasized the need for accountability. The readout did not mention the Indian officials with whom Finer discussed the issue.
During his visit, Finer also discussed plans for a post-conflict Gaza and a “pathway toward a two-state solution” with his Indian counterparts. He met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, and had extensive talks with Deputy NSA Vikram Misri. Finer led a US delegation for a review of the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) with Misri.
India has described the US linking an Indian official to a man charged with conspiring to kill the Sikh separatist as a “matter of concern.” India has already formed a probe team to investigate the allegations, and follow-up action will be taken based on the inquiry panel’s findings. Last week, US federal prosecutors charged Nikhil Gupta, 52, with working with an Indian government employee in the conspiracy.
The US readout mentioned that in addition to the iCET review, Finer conducted consultations with his Indian counterparts on bilateral and regional issues. These discussions aimed to strengthen coordination and policy alignment across the Indo-Pacific, including the wider Indian Ocean region. The topics covered included the Middle East, recent attacks on commercial vessels, and the importance of safeguarding freedom of commercial navigation. India has also been advocating for a “two-state” solution to the Palestine issue.
During a conclave, Finer highlighted the mature relationship between the US and India, which allows both sides to identify opportunities and work through differences. He acknowledged the complicated history between the two countries and the existence of difficult issues in their relationship. However, he emphasized the bipartisan view in the US that both countries must seize important opportunities geopolitically and economically.
