New Delhi:

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said today it is difficult to put a limit on the India-US relationship, and that the two countries now see each other as “desirable, optimal, and comfortable partners.”

Addressing an Indian community event in Washington DC, Mr Jaishankar said, “I am often asked, where do you think this relationship (India-US) is going…now it’s hard for me today, really, to put a limit on it, to define it, to even voice expectations, because in every way this relationship has exceeded expectations, which is why today we don’t even try to define it. We actually keep raising the bar.”

Mr Jaishankar held meetings with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, senior members of the US Administration, US business leaders, and think tank experts this week. The External Affairs Minister said that India and the United States have a “very compelling need” to work together and that it is in Washington’s interest to have partners who think and speak well of America.

Speaking to the community in Washington D.C. pic.twitter.com/p2Vtk6pG2X

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 1, 2023

“We keep finding new domains, the more we do with each other, the more we find we are able to do, explore together, and achieve together,” he added.

READ |“Must Talk To Each Other To Resolve Issue”: S Jaishankar Amid Row With Canada

“In this changing world, I would say, today, India and the United States have moved to a position where we really see each other as very desirable, optimal partners, comfortable partners, with whom it’s a natural instinct today. So, the chemistry and the comfort today of the relationship gives me enormous hope about where the prospects are,” he added.

Mr Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington recently, amid the diplomatic row with Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in June this year.

READ | “Let’s Not Normalise What’s Happening In Canada”: S Jaishankar

The foreign minister rejected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation that Indian government agents were involved in Nijjar’s killing, saying it was “inconsistent with India’s policy.”

Mr Blinken expressed deep concern over Mr Trudeau’s allegations, saying that the US is urging the Indian government to cooperate with the investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Mr Jaishankar also met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday for a productive discussion on deepening bilateral defence cooperation between India and the US, including the co-production of defence articles. 

New Delhi:

Khalistani terrorist Sukhdool Singh, also known as Sukha Duneke, was killed in Canada today in inter-gang violence, sources said. Duneke was part of the Khalistan movement in Canada.

Duneke was a “Category A” gangster from Punjab’s Moga who fled to Canada on a fake passport in 2017. He was a close associate of terrorist Arshdeep Dalla and is one of 43 gangsters with links to Khalistan and Canada mentioned in the list released by the anti-terror agency NIA yesterday.

Duneke’s killing comes in the backdrop of a huge diplomatic row between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the House of Commons earlier this week that his government had “credible allegations” that linked Indian government agents to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in June.

India and Canada have expelled a senior diplomat each following Mr Trudeau’s accusations. India has denied the allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated.”

Nijjar, 45, was an Indian terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), and was assassinated outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18. He was one of India’s most wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh.

Yesterday, India issued a travel advisory for its citizens in Canada, a day after Canada updated its own advisory for India. India’s strong travel advisory warned of growing anti-India activity and “politically condoned hate crimes.” The advisory urged Indian citizens in Canada and those planning to travel there to exercise caution.

“In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution.  Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda,’ read India’s advisory. 

The Canadian government today rejected India’s travel advisory, saying that it is one of the safest countries in the world. 

Amid this standoff between the two nations, Punjab Police today launched a statewide crackdown on the associates of gangster Goldy Brar, who is accused of killing singer Sidhu Moosewala. 

According to the police, Brar has close links to the Khalistani separatist movement and is believed to be hiding in Canada.