The report in The Hindu had also highlighted how the LeT and JeM, and their leaders Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar had addressed public rallies in Muzaffarabad and Lahore in 2014, the operative year for the disbursement of the funds.
The Kerry-Lugar Act, as the Enhanced Cooperation with Pakistan Act is commonly known has seen the State Department certify Pakistani government actions routinely since 2010.
The Indian government also warned the U.S. that the two groups, based in Pakistan’s Punjab State were targeting Indian and other diplomats in Afghanistan as well.
“With increasing sightings of Punjabi/Urdu-speaking elements operating with terrorist groups inside Afghanistan, we now also know that these very groups also pose a significant threat to members of the international community working in Afghanistan including to Indian diplomatic personnel working in the Indian embassy in Kabul and our four Consulates,” Mr. Akbaruddin said.
The issue is likely to come up for discussion when Mr. Kerry travels to Ahmedabad for the Vibrant Gujarat summit this weekend, and is expected to meet Prime Minister Modi separately as well.
He is also travelling to Pakistan for the U.S.-Pakistan strategic dialogue this month, and while Pakistani agency reports said he will fly directly from India on January 14th , the State Department would not confirm a date.
