U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently met with India’s foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Washington. However, the official statement from the U.S. did not mention the escalating conflict between India and Canada.

Prior to the meeting, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed to have received assurances that the issue of a Sikh separatist’s alleged extrajudicial killing in Canada would be discussed. Trudeau publicly accused the Indian government of orchestrating the murder on September 18.

Blinken, the highest-ranking U.S. official to comment on this dispute, urged India to collaborate with Canada in investigating Trudeau’s allegations. It is worth noting that readouts, which summarize meetings between officials, may vary and exclusions do not necessarily imply that the issue was not addressed.

Trudeau has not yet presented any evidence to support his claims. India responded by stating that Canada did not provide any specific information regarding the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen advocating for an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan.

The tensions between India and Canada have resulted in reciprocal expulsions of senior diplomats and the suspension of visa processing services for Canadians by India. Canada has also halted trade negotiations, while India demanded diplomatic staffing parity, leading to a reduction in Canadian diplomatic staff in India.

The deepening rift between the two countries is concerning for Canada’s closest allies, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. If the allegations are true, it could potentially derail the U.S.’s efforts to build a stronger partnership with India in countering China as part of a broader Indo-Pacific strategy.

The U.S. readout of the meeting stated that Jaishankar and Blinken discussed various issues, including the outcomes of India’s G20 presidency and the potential of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor to generate transparent, sustainable, and high-standard infrastructure investments.

The two leaders also emphasized the importance of cooperation in defense, space, and clean energy, particularly in preparation for the upcoming 2+2 Dialogue. This dialogue serves as a comprehensive platform for cooperation across multiple key areas, reflecting the depth and breadth of the U.S.-India bilateral relationship.

Jaishankar is currently on a working visit to the U.S. from September 22-30, which includes attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York and engaging in several bilateral meetings in Washington D.C.