India strongly rebuffed a report by the Washington Post alleging that a former Indian intelligence officer orchestrated a plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed the report as "unwarranted and unsubstantiated," emphasizing that an ongoing investigation by a high-level committee established by the Indian government is addressing security concerns raised by the US regarding criminal and terrorist networks.
Jaiswal emphasized the importance of refraining from speculative and irresponsible comments on the matter, given its sensitivity. The tension escalated in November 2022 when the Financial Times reported the US's thwarting of the alleged plot and issued a warning to India regarding its purported involvement. A subsequent indictment in a Manhattan court named Indian national Nikhil Gupta as a conspirator, along with an unnamed Indian official referred to as "CC-1," identified by the Washington Post as Vikram Yadav.
India has consistently denied these accusations, citing them as contradictory to government policy. In November 2023, a high-level inquiry committee was established to investigate the allegations. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized that India's national security interests are at stake in the investigation.
While the Biden administration refrained from charging Vikram Yadav, the White House stressed the seriousness of the matter and the expectation of accountability from the Indian government based on the investigation's outcome. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated the US's commitment to raising concerns with the Indian government and seeking accountability in the matter.
