By In a recent revelation, United States authorities thwarted a plot aimed at assassinating Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, and a vocal advocate for an independent Sikh homeland called Khalistan.
The Biden administration has raised concerns about potential involvement by the Indian government, prompting a serious diplomatic warning.
The White House, treating the situation with the utmost seriousness, informed India at the highest levels about the foiled plot. White House spokesperson Adrienne Watson stated that Indian officials expressed surprise and concern upon learning about the incident.
The U.S. government urged accountability for those responsible.
India’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, acknowledged that Washington shared inputs related to the nexus between organized criminals, gun runners, terrorists, and others.
Bagchi emphasized India’s commitment to national security and stated that relevant departments are examining the information. The delicate nature of the issue arises as the Biden administration seeks closer ties with India amidst shared concerns about China.
The Biden administration’s diplomatic warning coincides with heightened tensions surrounding the June murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, with allegations linking Indian agents. India rejected the claims, and its anti-terror agency filed a case against Pannun, citing threats made against Air India passengers.
In addition to the diplomatic caution, federal prosecutors in the United States took legal action by submitting a sealed indictment against a minimum of one suspect in a New York district court. Pannun, like Nijjar, advocates for Khalistan, viewed by India as a security threat due to historical violent insurgencies.
India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered a case against Pannun, citing charges related to terrorism and conspiracy.
Pannun, the general counsel of Sikhs for Justice, labeled an “unlawful association” by India, emphasized his message to boycott Air India, not bomb it. He sees the threat on American soil as a challenge to America’s sovereignty, drawing parallels with Nijjar’s assassination in Canada.
As the U.S. Justice Department remains tight-lipped, the incident adds complexity to the evolving dynamics between the U.S. and India.
The foiled plot targeting a Sikh separatist adds a layer of complexity to the delicate dance between the United States and India. As both nations navigate shared concerns and historical sensitivities, the incident underscores the challenges in maintaining diplomatic relations amidst evolving global dynamics.
