External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that India's ongoing investigation into the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on US soil involves the country's national security interests. His remarks came in response to comments made by Washington's Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, regarding the case.
Garcetti, in an exclusive interview with the ANI news agency, acknowledged the joint efforts between India and the US in investigating the case and commended the Indian government for its cooperation. However, he also emphasized the importance of respecting certain boundaries, stating that no country or government employee should be involved in the assassination of a foreign national.
Speaking at a press conference at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, Jaishankar stated, "It is something we are investigating as we believe our own national security interests are involved in that investigation." He acknowledged Garcetti's perspective as an ambassador representing his government's position but reiterated that India's stance is focused on investigating the information provided to them.
Jaishankar emphasized that the Indian government is actively investigating the case and will provide updates as appropriate. He confirmed that, at present, the investigation is ongoing, and there is no further information to share beyond that.
The backdrop to these statements includes the charging of Indian national Nikhil Gupta by US prosecutors in November last year in connection with the alleged assassination plot. According to federal prosecutors, Gupta was allegedly working with an Indian government employee and had agreed to pay an assassin USD 1,00,000 to kill Pannun, who resides in New York City. India has initiated its probe into the matter following these allegations.
