The United States has weighed in on the recent reports alleging India’s involvement in targeted killings beyond its borders into Pakistan, urging both countries to seek a resolution to the matter through dialogue. In a statement issued on Monday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized that the US would refrain from intervening in the situation but encouraged India and Pakistan to avoid escalating tensions.
“We will not get in the middle of this situation,” Miller stated during a press briefing, underscoring the importance of de-escalating the issue and finding a diplomatic solution.
The remarks from the US come in response to claims made by UK daily The Guardian, alleging that India has carried out targeted killings in Pakistan, particularly citing incidents since the Pulwama attack in 2019. However, India swiftly rejected these allegations, labeling them as “false and malicious anti-India propaganda.”
The Guardian’s report purported that India’s intelligence agency, R&AW, orchestrated numerous assassinations in Pakistan, with alleged support from sleeper cells in the UAE. The report also cited unnamed Indian officials drawing inspiration from intelligence agencies like Israel’s Mossad and Russia’s KGB.
In response to the allegations, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed the country’s commitment to combatting cross-border terrorism, asserting that any attempt to disrupt peace in India would be met with a decisive response.
Singh echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent assertion that India would not remain passive in the face of threats, emphasizing India’s capability to take stern action against terrorism while expressing a desire to maintain cordial relations with its neighbors.
While tensions persist between India and Pakistan over the alleged targeted killings, the involvement of the United States signals a call for diplomatic dialogue to de-escalate the situation and prevent further strains in the region.
