On December 19, when the Biden administration conveyed that President Biden would be unable to attend Republic Day and a potential Quad summit, some voices quickly painted the situation as a harbinger of the deteriorating India-US relationship. Assertions ranged from questioning the partnership's fragility to speculating on its impending demise, with doubts raised about New Delhi's perception of Biden as an ally. The familiar narrative of American fickleness emerged, suggesting that the US could align with Pakistan or China at the slightest provocation. The catalyst for this perceived strain was the Pannun case, involving the Khalistani terrorist threat.
While the Pannun issue is undoubtedly serious, it may not significantly impact the overall strategic relationship between India and the US. Nevertheless, it is poised to be a persistent political and diplomatic irritant in the bilateral discourse. The concerns raised by five Indian American Congressmen and the expressions of disapproval from Beltway observers, hinting at potential sanctions and "reputational damage," add complexity to the situation. With competing court cases underway in New York and New Delhi, India is set to legally contest the charges. The defense will likely scrutinize and challenge various aspects of the accusations. However, the undeniable reality is that the United States finds itself defending an accused terrorist in this scenario
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