India Expresses Concern as US Charges Indian National in Plot to Kill Sikh Separatist Pannun

New Delhi: India on Thursday expressed concern over the US charging an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, with conspiring to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. The External Affairs Ministry established a high-level probe committee to investigate the case, emphasizing that the allegations are contrary to government policy. US prosecutors revealed Gupta’s arrest in the Czech Republic, awaiting extradition.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi highlighted the seriousness of the nexus between organized crime, trafficking, gunrunning, and extremists on an international scale. He mentioned that the US shared inputs on this nexus during discussions on bilateral security cooperation. A high-level inquiry committee has been formed to examine all relevant aspects, with follow-up actions based on its findings.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, associated with ‘Sikhs for Justice,’ faces terror charges in India. Recent revelations about a foiled plot prompted the Biden administration to send CIA Director William J Burns and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to India for an investigation.

Addressing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of potential Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Bagchi asserted India’s rejection of the charges. He emphasized that Canada’s main issue pertains to providing space for anti-India elements and urged Canada to uphold its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.