New Delhi: During the India-US 2+2 dialogue Friday, India conveyed to the US its concerns over increasing activities of Sikh extremism in Canada, Indian foreign secretary Vinay Khwatra said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, addressed the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Delhi.
In a press briefing hours later, Khwatra was asked if the India-Canada diplomatic spat over allegations that Indian agents were involved in the murder of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the withdrawal of Canadian diplomats from India was discussed.
“The thrust of our conversation with our partners, no different than today…is essentially that we have core security concerns. I am sure you all are aware of the recent video that has surfaced from one such individual — Gurpatwant Singh Pannun — which presents a very serious security concern for the Indian interest,” said Khwatra.
He was referring to the India-designated terrorist’s video message last week in which he “issued a threat” against Air India flights, warning Sikhs against flying the airline on 19 November.
The day marks the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who was assassinated as retaliation for Operation Bluestar ordered in Golden Temple in 1984. Pannun has dual citizenship of both Canada and the US. In the past, Indian consulates in the US have faced attacks by Sikh extremists.
“We have made our position very very clear to our friends and partners and I think they understand and appreciate the sense of where India comes from,” Khwatra said, during the briefing.
The 2+2 dialogue has been held annually since 2018 in a bid to bolster the Indo-US bilateral relationship. It comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in June earlier this year, which led to new initiatives between the two countries and the signing of a slew of defence deals.
The dialogue took place during a time of geopolitical upheaval amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Israel-Hamas conflict and more.
PM Modi will hold a call with the four officials from the 2+2 dialogue later Friday evening, the foreign secretary added.
Also read: Look forward to working with US on defence, says Rajnath Singh at 2+2 India-US dialogue
Israel-Hamas war, ‘free & open Indo-Pacific’
During the 2+2 dialogue, the two sides discussed trade investment, critical & emerging technologies, space cooperation, mineral security, value chains, supply chains and combating terrorism.
In the regional context, the focus was on growing cooperation on connectivity, India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Quad cooperation, and more.
The US Secretary of State’s visit to India comes after a 5-nation tour, mainly to Jordan, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries, in a bid to contain the fallout of the Israel-Hamas war.
Asked about whether the Israel-Hamas war was discussed in the meeting, the Indian foreign secretary said: I think certain elements of how both sides look at the situation are common. From India’s perspective, we have always stood for a two-state solution, early resumptions of dialogue. You are also aware that when the current hostilities started, India put out a tweet condemning the horrific terrorist attacks that took place on 7 October. We have always advocated zero tolerance for terrorism.”
The US has staunchly supported Israel’s counter-offensive after Hamas’ attack on 7 October, and is expected to provide $14 billion additional spending for Israel.
India has condemned Hamas attacks, but has also stood by its long-standing position for a two-state solution and an independent Palestinian state. It is also providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the death toll has crossed 10,000.
The two sides also discussed the need for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
“India stands for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, a peaceful Indo-Pacific, a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. India and the US share a vision of upholding the freedom of navigation and also overseas flight. That is the context in which the regional conversations on that part of the world was discussed,” said Khwatra.
Earlier, during the opening remarks of the 2+2 dialogue, India’s defence minister said Washington and New Delhi increasingly find themselves in agreement on strategic issues, “including countering China’s aggression, promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific and addressing regional security challenges.”
On Bangladesh, India made it clear that it supports the democratic processes in Bangladesh at a time when the US and other Western countries have expressed concern over the fairness of the polls.
“Insofar as Bangladesh is concerned, we shared our perspective very very clearly. It is not our space to comment on a policy of a third country. When it comes to developments in Bangladesh, elections in Bangladesh, it’s their domestic matter,” he said.
“We, as a close friend and partner of Bangladesh, respect the democratic processes there and will continue to support that country’s vision for a stable, peaceful and progressive nation that the people of that country seek for themselves,” he added.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)