US has raised reported plot to kill Sikh separatist with India: White House

The United States is taking very seriously the reported plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on American soil, and the White House has communicated its concern to the Indian government at the highest levels, the White House stated on Wednesday.

"Indian counterparts expressed surprise and concern. They stated that activity of this nature was not their policy," White House spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

"We understand the Indian government is further investigating this issue and will have more to say about it in the coming days. We have conveyed our expectation that anyone deemed responsible should be held accountable," she said.


India in response said it takes inputs on security matters from the US seriously since they impinge on its own national security concerns as well.

"During the course of recent discussions on India-US security cooperation, the US side shared some inputs pertaining to nexus between organised criminals, gun runners, terrorists and others," Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Arindam Bagchi said in response to queries on the British media report.

He said the inputs were a cause of concern for both countries and they decided to take necessary follow-up action.

"On its part, India takes such inputs seriously since it impinges on our own national security interests as well," Bagchi said.

The spokesman said issues in the context of US inputs are already being examined by relevant departments.