PRADEEP RANA | NEW DELHI Close on the heels of Pennsylvania representative Scott Perry asking Biden Administration to reject appointment of Pakistan ambassador-designate Masood Khan, Indian-Americans have warned that his appointment will serve as conduit to jihadi elements to American institutions. "His diplomatic role in the United States may open an avenue for access for terrorist organizations to U.S. institutions," said Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), a thinktank focusing on policy studies, analysis, advocacy and awareness related to India and Indian diaspora. "Furthermore, his former active role as President of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, a territory of India that is illegally occupied by Pakistan, would complicate US relations with its strategic partner India," it added. Khan was named ambassador to the US by Imran Khan Government in November last year. But his appointment is a hanging fire since the letter written by US Congressman Perry which called for his rejection owing to his backing of terror in Kashmir, praising Hizbul Mujahideen and support to terrorists inimical to the US at large. Reluctance of Biden Administration to deal with Pakistan after Afghanistan pullout had put Khan appointment on the backburner, with Pakistan Foreign Office stoutly denying reports of rejection. Issuing a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, FIIDS claimed, "Pakistan designated Mr. Masood Khan as an ambassador to the United States. However the State Department blocked his appointment till now." "His diplomatic role in the United States may open an avenue for access for terrorist organizations to U.S. institutions. Furthermore, his former active role as President of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, a territory of India that is illegally occupied by Pakistan, would complicate US relations with its strategic partner India. His support to the Taliban would further adversely affect US interests in Afghanistan," it said. The Indian American thinktank backed its stand citing specific instances of his support to jihadi-terrorists and US-designated terrorist organizations, reiterating some cited by Rep. Perry. It said Khan is also a supporter of Jamaat-e-Islami, whose killing squads helped the Pakistani military carry out acts of genocide against Bangladeshis in 1971 when hundreds of thousands of minorities were raped, killed and millions were displaced. On the fifth death anniversary of dreaded terrorist Burhan Wani, a former commander of Hizbul Mujahideen '“ a designated terrorist organization under US law, Khan had called out Burhan Wani as a 'œrole model for the freedom fighters across the globe. " some of the alarming facts that are concerning to the United States interests in global peace, anti-terrorism and its relations with strategic partners like India. Mr. Masood Khan has repeatedly demonstrated a soft spot for Jihadi-terrorists, including Aafia Siddiqui, a convicted terrorist operative known as 'Lady al-Qaeda.' His support to designated terrorist organizations under US law, such as like Hizbul Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM), and Jamaat-e-Islami, is not only inimical to US Interests but also to global peace," it said.