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US evasive over drone deal with India amid rumors of backing out
The deal expected to be wrapped up early this year is yet to be approved by the US Congress
State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller did not comment on the claims made in the report / Screengrab/State Department Briefing
As uncertainty looms over the US-India Predator armed drones deal, officials from the US State Department and the US Embassy in India have issued elusive statements, leading to further introspection into bilateral relations between the two countries.
Earlier, a report in online news portal The Wire, citing a Washington-based source, claimed that the deal is stuck in Congress as the lawmakers have expressed concerns over India’s investigation into the alleged assassination plot against U.S.-Canadian Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in May 2023.
In response to a question on the validity of the report, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press briefing, “Of course, Congress plays an important role in the US arms transfer process. We routinely consult with members of Congress on the foreign affairs committees before our formal notification so we can address questions that they might have, but I don’t have any comment on when that formal notification might take place.”
While Miller did not comment on the claims made in the report, he stated that the US$3 billion deal has “significant potential” to bolster bilateral strategic technology and military cooperation. In a similar vein, a spokesperson for the US Embassy said that the deal is still being discussed in Congress.
What is the drone deal?
As per the details of the deal announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States in 2023, India is looking to procure 31 MQ-9B Predator long-endurance armed drones from the US under a government-to-government framework.
Of the 31 drones, the Indian Navy will get 15 Sea Guardian drones, and the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army will each get eight Sky Guardian drones manufactured by US defence major General Atomics.
India is acquiring high-altitude long-endurance drones, which are capable of remaining airborne for over 35 hours and can carry four Hellfire missiles as well as around 450 kg of bombs, to strengthen its surveillance, especially along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
Pannun assassination claims
In November 2023, an indictment unsealed in a federal court in the US accused Indian national Nikhil Gupta of working with an Indian government employee (CC-1) in the foiled plot to kill Pannun, who holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada.
Following the allegations, India set up a probe committee to investigate the matter. Pannun is a wanted terrorist in the country for his involvement in the Sikh Separatist movement.
Indian American lawmakers Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Shri Thanedar welcomed India’s prompt response to investigate the matter. In a joint statement, they said, “We welcome the Government of India’s announcement of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the murder plot, and it is critical that India fully investigate, hold those responsible, including Indian government officials, accountable, and provide assurances that this will not happen again.”
They highlighted that if corrective measures were not taken, it could harm the significant partnership between the two nations. “We are concerned that the actions outlined in the indictment could, if not appropriately addressed, cause significant damage to this very consequential partnership,” they added.
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