NEW DELHI: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday dismissed imputations in a civil lawsuit filed by Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun against the Indian government and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in an American court ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US visit. The case pertains to the alleged attempt to bump him off by a hired gunman. The court issued summons and sought a response within 21 days.
The foreign secretary described Pannun’s allegations as “unwarranted and unsubstantiated, adding “it doesn’t change our views about the underlying situation.” Misri said Pannun’s antecedants are well known.
“I would also like to underline the fact that this person represents an organisation which is unlawful and has been declared as such under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967 and it has been done so on account of its involvement in anti-national and subversive activities aimed at disrupting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India,’’ Misri added.
As for the buzz on Modi meeting former US President Donald Trump, Misri said it has not been firmed up yet. A couple of days ago, Trump had said he was looking forward to meeting Modi during the visit. “PM Modi is a fantastic man and is coming to meet me next week,” he had said.
“We are currently trying to schedule several meetings of the prime minister, based on the time available. At this moment I cannot specifically tell you whether meetings have been fixed or not. We are looking from all viewpoints, considering how much time we have with whom the meetings can be arranged. We will update once they are fixed,’’ Misri said.
Regarding the Quad summit, he said, all regional, international, geopolitical situations will be on the agenda and the essence from the discussions will be reflected in the joint statement. “All key challenges confronting the international community on development, peace, security will be discussed.”
The PM will depart on September 21 and his first engagement is the Quad Summit at Delaware. The White House said China will be high on the agenda of the summit.
No bilateral with Yunus
Modi will have a number of bilateral meetings with world leaders, but not with the head of the interim govt in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus. Besides, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy has not requested a meeting with the prime minister, says MEA
Diaspora dialogue
On Sept 22, Modi will attend a diaspora event at Nassau Coliseum in New York. Arrangements for this event has been made privately, so there is no clarity on who all will be invited. Next day, Modi will address the Summit of the Future at New York.