India-China Opt for Border Conflict Resolution, US Raises Concern on Pannun Plot

On 23 Oct, in an interview to a media house, the US Ambassador Eric Garcetti reminded India of the failed Gurpatwant Singh Pannun assassination plot saying, ‘The US won’t be fully satisfied until there is meaningful accountability. This sort of behavior … unacceptable to us as Americans. That’s a red line, coming from an enemy or a close friend.’ Garcetti also addressed concerns about the potential impact of the issue on India-US relations, expressing optimism that both countries can resolve the matter without jeopardizing their partnership. When asked if the US expects India to arrest him, Garcetti reiterated that US authorities expect accountability (SDW Vol 2 Issue 43, Story 1). Yadav is still out on bail after his arrest last year on charges of robbery and kidnapping. He has not been re-arrested. His extradition is possible only after he is sentenced, which in both cases is 10 years each. The US views India as a counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific region. Ambassador Garcetti’s statement came as soon as Indian PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS  – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – summit in Kazan, Russia. Together, BRICS has about 50% of the world population and controls 35% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product and their ‘strongmen’ are challenging the Western order. The meeting came after the two sides announced they had reached an agreement on ‘disengagement and resolution of issues in these (border) areas’. On 21 Oct, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said both nations agreed to resume border patrols and return to the situation that existed before the 2020 clash.