In preparation for `index_t`, the cast needs to be removed

[kunaltyagi]

In preparation for index_t, the cast either needs to be removed or it needs to be set explicitly to index_t. I vote for removal unless it's unsupported.

Originally posted by @SergioRAgostinho in https://github.com/_render_node/MDI0OlB1bGxSZXF1ZXN0UmV2aWV3Q29tbWVudDQ0NDE1MTE1NQ==/comments/review_comment

Needs CI run on the PR resolving this issue post #4198 merge