The Joe Biden administration has affirmed its cooperation with the Indian government to hold accountable those responsible for a plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. According to news agency PTI, federal prosecutors charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta last November in connection with this foiled plot.
Recent reports, including one from Bloomberg, have suggested the involvement of "rogue operatives" rather than sanctioned government action. However, the US Embassy in New Delhi emphasized the importance of accountability, expressing expectations for updates on India's investigation into the matter.
US federal prosecutors allege that Gupta, along with an Indian government employee, conspired to pay an assassin $100,000 to kill Pannun, who resides in New York City. India has formed a probe committee to investigate these allegations.
During a Congressional hearing, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Donald Lu, underscored the seriousness of the issue between the United States and India. Lu stated that the Department of Justice has alleged an Indian citizen, at the direction of someone working in the Indian government, attempted to kill an American citizen on American soil. He mentioned ongoing collaboration with India to ensure accountability and urged transparency in India's inquiry process.
Lu's remarks followed a question from Congressman Dean Phillips about considering sanctions similar to those imposed on individuals linked to the killing of Lexie Navalny in Russia. The State Department had previously expressed concern over the allegations of India's involvement in the assassination attempts.
In response, India has described the US linking an Indian official to the plot as a "matter of concern" and affirmed that follow-up action will be taken based on the findings of the panel investigating the allegations.
