In October last, Canada expelled Verma and five other diplomats.In retaliation, New Delhi also expelled Canadian Charge d’Affaires Stewart Wheeler and five other diplomats.It is expected that the case may figure during Doval’s conversation with Rogers.On the sidelines of the conclave, NSA Doval is expected to hold one-on-one meetings with his counterparts from several leading countries.In meetings with her Indian interlocutors, Gabbard is also expected to bring up the need for expanding cooperation between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific with an overall focus on dealing with China’s increasing muscle-flexing in the region.It will be interesting to see whether the two sides discuss the case relating to the alleged foiled plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.In November 2023, US federal prosecutors charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta with working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill Pannun in New York.A probe ordered by the Indian government to investigate the alleged plot in January recommended legal action against an individual.In a post on ‘X’, Gabbard said on Monday that she was travelling to France, Japan, Thailand and India.It will be her second foreign trip after assuming charge as the DNI.During her first international trip, Gabbard travelled to Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference last month.”Terrorism remains a persistent threat, requiring a coordinated global response,” she said at the conference.”We must disrupt and destroy terrorist organisations by targeting their ideology, leadership, command structures and financial networks,” she said.”This effort necessitates close cooperation to share intelligence, coordinate law enforcement activities, and prevent the flow of funds to terrorist groups,” she asserted.In the address, Gabbard also referred to challenges presented by Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.”To deter aggression and maintain stability, we look forward to working closely with those who share those interests,” she said.
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