The American embassy in New Delhi denied reports that ambassador Eric Garcetti said India’s diplomatic row with Canada would affect bilateral ties. A Politico report claimed that Garcetti told his team that relations between India and the US could worsen due to the diplomatic spat. However, the embassy clarified that Garcetti is actively working to strengthen the partnership between the US and India.
The embassy stated that Garcetti and the US Mission to India are dedicated to advancing the important partnership between the two countries. The statement came in response to claims made by an unnamed State Department official in the Politico report, suggesting that the US may need to reduce its contacts with Indian officials for an unspecified period of time.
The report coincided with India’s request for Canada to decrease the number of its diplomats stationed in India, following a diplomatic dispute over the killing of Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his desire to avoid escalation with India, while Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated the country’s intention to resolve the dispute through private talks.
Separately, Garcetti attended a seminar on Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) and highlighted the collaboration between India and the US for a more peaceful world. He emphasized the potential for great minds in both countries to work together in finding more paths to peace.
