US Presses India, Pakistan To Prevent Escalation Amid Modi, Rajnath’s Statements On Cross-Border Counterterrorism Operations “Won’t Get In The Middle”
Amid allegations that New Delhi is conducting purported counterterrorism operations in other nations, especially Pakistan, the US has encouraged India and Pakistan to refrain from escalation and settle their differences diplomatically.
In response to questions concerning recent remarks made by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding crossing international borders to kill terrorists, the Biden administration stated that while it would not get involved, it “encouraged India and Pakistan to avoid any escalation and find a resolution through dialogue.”
The US will not get involved
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that the US will not become involved in the situation when asked about India’s purported efforts to eradicate terrorists abroad.
Miller responded, “The United States is not going to get into the middle of this, but we do encourage both India and Pakistan to avoid escalation and find a resolution through dialogue,” when asked if the remarks made by PM Modi and Rajnath Singh could be interpreted as “confessions” regarding the alleged “assassination of (Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh) Nijjar in Canada, (designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh) Pannu’s murder-for-hire plot in New York, and recent killings in Pakistan.”
Miller said, “I am never going to preview any sanctions actions, which is not to say that there are coming,” when asked why the US has not yet contemplated imposing penalties on India in relation to the issue. However, we don’t have open discussions on punishments when you want me to speak about them.
India’s international anti-terror operations
Regarding New Delhi’s aggressive strategy against cross-border terrorism, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had stated earlier this month that terrorists would face appropriate retaliation if they attempt to disrupt Indian peace or carry out terrorist acts, and that if they flee to Pakistan, India will invade that nation to execute them.
The defense minister was answering a query on a story published in the British daily “The Guardian” that said Indian intelligence services killed terrorists in Pakistan as part of a more confident strategy for maintaining national security beyond 2019.
Similar remarks have also been made by PM Narendra Modi in relation to the strict measures being taken against cross-border terrorism.
