The United States has asked India to explain about a reported plan to hire someone to murder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist. A senior official in the Biden administration said the US has kept asking India for updates on the investigation into this stopped plan.
Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell mentioned that they raised this issue directly with top Indian leaders during recent talks between US and Indian officials, including Campbell and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s visit to India.
The backdrop of the controversy stems from US federal prosecutors charging Indian national Nikhil Gupta with involvement in the plot, allegedly orchestrated with an Indian government employee.
Gupta, who was extradited from the Czech Republic to the US, stands accused of hiring a hitman and making a payment towards the assassination of Pannun in New York. Pannun, who holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada and faces terrorism charges in India, was purportedly the target of this scheme.
US Seeks Answers from India Over Alleged Plot to Assassinate Sikh Separatist
In response to these serious allegations, India has set up a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the information provided by the US. The case has sparked diplomatic discussions between the two countries, with the US stressing the need for transparency and updates from the Indian side regarding the progress of their investigation.
Despite the charges and extradition of Gupta, both India and Gupta himself have vehemently denied any involvement in the plot, with Gupta’s attorney asserting his client’s innocence in court and before Indian authorities.
The situation has underscored tensions and raised diplomatic stakes between the US and India, as both nations navigate the complexities of extradition, legal proceedings, and the sensitive nature of bilateral relations.
The US continues to push for clarity and accountability from India, highlighting the gravity of the allegations and the importance of cooperation in addressing such serious criminal accusations involving nationals of both countries.
