A dark cloud of suspicion hangs over US-India relations as accusations and fallout from a foiled assassination plot against Sikh leaders in North America continue to reverberate.
The tension, simmering for months, reached a boiling point with the revelation of the alleged Indian government involvement in the conspiracy, as reported by Al Jazeera and Financial Times.
India's Prime Minister Modi openly acknowledged the strain, while the consequences unfolded swiftly. President Biden declined an invitation to India's Republic Day celebrations, a symbolic snub highlighting the diplomatic friction.
This refusal triggered a domino effect, leading to the Modi government postponing a crucial Quad Group meeting scheduled for New Delhi.
Further amplifying the discord, the American Institute for Religious Freedom urged the US to designate India as a "country of concern" for alleged religious persecution of Sikhs.
This call adds fuel to the fire, potentially prompting further US scrutiny and action.
The fallout isn't limited to diplomatic gestures. Al Jazeera reports slowed progress on critical technology transfer and defence deals between the two nations, jeopardizing a key pillar of their strategic partnership.
This tension stems from a series of events, including the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nagar in Canada by Indian security forces in June 2023. Additionally, last year, the US exposed a previous Indian plot to target Sikh leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu.
These incidents and accusations have created a deep trust deficit and cast a shadow over the once-optimistic outlook for the US-India alliance.
