Careful India rules out demarche over murder US furnishes ‘assurances’ after race attack on Srinivas Kuchibhotla
Clearly unwilling to rock the boat on close strategic ties with the United States and the newly-installed Trump administration there, India on Tuesday said there was no need to issue a demarche to the US in the wake of the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla since certain “assurances” had already been furnished by top authorities at Kansas to the Indian Consulate in Houston.
Referring also to the strong condemnation of the incident by the US embassy on Friday, New Delhi said, “the United States’ authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the US, a matter which continues to receive the Government’s top priority”.
The MEA’s comments came just hours after news agencies reported that the White House had said early reports coming from Kansas were “disturbing”.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said: “The United States and senior authorities in Kansas have pro-actively responded to the unfortunate death of Mr. Srinivas Kuchibhotla. In this context, I would like to draw your attention to the strong condemnation of the tragic shooting, issued by the US Embassy in New Delhi on February 24. Further, the Charge d’ Affaires of USA stated that the US welcomes people from across the world and the US authorities will investigate thoroughly and prosecute the case. These developments obviated the need for a demarche by the Government on this matter.”
The MEA added: “It is important to note that the US authorities are engaged with us on the larger concern regarding safety of Indians in the US, a matter which continues to receive the Government’s top priority. We also must not forget the noble and courageous gesture of the young American Mr. Ian Grillot, who risked his life while countering the shooter.”
The close proximity with which the Indian Government and the Trump Administration are operating was witnessed recently after the US moved a UN committee for a ban on Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar but the move was blocked again by China.
India had earlier moved the proposal but the Chinese had blocked it. India has also moved closer to the United States during the current tenure of the Modi Government.
Shocked at the hate crime in Kansas where Kuchibhotla — working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe — was killed and two others including Indian Alok Madasani injured after a US Navy veteran yelling “terrorist” and “get out of my country” opened fire on them in a crowded bar last Friday, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had last week assured all help to the family of the deceased.