NEW DELHI: Days after US authorities announced charges against former Indian government officials, Vikash Yadavfor his alleged involvement in an assassination-for-hire scheme, the US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti told TOI in an exclusive interaction that while the American authorities are satisfied with the progress in the Indian investigation in the case, Washington will be satisfied finally only if accountability is achieved. the crime will never be repeated.
Garcetti said the U.S. cannot compromise on criminal activity, whether it comes from enemies or close friends. He did not comment on whether the US would seek Yadav’s extradition, saying that could happen after his arrest. The ambassador also said that there is a lot at stake for India and the US not to settle this case. Asked about pro-Khalistan separatists in Canada, and threats issued by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun from US soil, Garcetti said Washington is taking real threats seriously.
Without accountability, justice will not be served: US envoy
Eric Garcetti cited strong counter-terrorism cooperation with India, giving an example Tahawwur RanaThe Mumbai attack was blamed on which, he said, India and the US had built an “airtight” extradition case.
“We have said two things from the beginning. This kind of behavior is not acceptable from one country to another. Certainly, it is not acceptable for us as Americans. The red line, whether it comes from an enemy or a close friend. That is our first responsibility , no matter who they are or what they say, to draw the line that murder-for-hire is illegal, as it is in every state,” Garcetti said.
“Secondly, we want accountability. Not just saying it won’t happen in the future, but those involved will be held accountable. That’s the focus of our prosecutors. Our prosecutors are 100% non-political. They’re in a different universe,” he said.
While expressing satisfaction with the work done so far by the Indian commission of inquiry, the ambassador said the US expects India to hold criminally responsible for anyone who violates the law. “We are very happy that the investigative commission was established. The commission went through a formal process, as it is done in dozens of cases at any time. Every day, the US and India officially request evidence, conduct joint investigations, make arrests, extradite. We expect the same here, Garcetti said.
On the recent visit of the Indian inquiry committee to the US, the ambassador said that in Washington, there was a good and deep discussion on information sharing. “We got good feedback from the Indian committee. Our law enforcement authorities are happy to share it. But in the end, I think, people in Washington will only be satisfied that the responsibility has been achieved. Our prosecutors have provided evidence that fits the criminal charges and that evidence can and it will be shown in a proper way with the Indian investigation and I hope that the Indian system, like the American system, knows that the murder-for-hire plot is illegal and will hold people accountable,” the ambassador said.
Garcetti did not predict that U.S. authorities would seek Yadav’s extradition, but when asked whether Washington expected India to arrest him, he said American authorities expected him to be held accountable. “And it may happen in more than one way. Without accountability, justice will not be served. I cannot speak about the criminal activities of this individual in India, but the prosecutor in the US clearly believes that he is involved in a criminal conspiracy in America,” he said. .
Asked whether this issue could affect India-US relations, given the speculation here that American authorities may act in concert with Canada, the ambassador said, “There is no way to compromise criminal activity and the basic value of killing – to-recruit is illegal and who cross the border to plan international murder. The main responsibility of any country is to defend the rights of its people, whether it is freedom of speech or the right not to be killed. I am optimistic that we can do this with right. We are working together, even the hardest conversations are happening. I believe India and America can do it right, but it won’t be easy,” he said.
“I am very proud of the work we have done together in counterterrorism. We always tell our Indian friends to focus on crime. And when we focus on crime, as opposed to opinions, we can see progress. When the Indian consulate was attacked, we started a criminal investigation. We take the safety and security of Indian diplomats very seriously. We take the actions of terrorists, not the words, extremely seriously. No one in the US is immune from such acts. For example, in the case of Tahawwur Rana, we are doing everything right. We have worked closely together and can lead to victory against terrorism for India and the US as friends,” Garcetti said.
Whether Rana can be extradited soon, he said there is only one step, which is to appeal to the Supreme Court. “I’ll leave it up to the legal experts, but everyone says it’s airtight, it’s done right and it will be very surprising if they appeal again. And, by the way, the appeal doesn’t guarantee anything. Every court so far has supported the work that done by India and the US in this extradition,” he said.
In the charge against Yadav, Garcetti also said that in the American system, politicians or even the The White House did not pick up the phone and told the prosecutor to bring charges or not. “This is an independent decision based on the prosecutor’s confidence in the evidence,” he said.
