Gurpatwant Pannun ‘Murder’ Plot: US Deems Issue ‘Serious’, Collaborating with India to Ensure Accountability

The United States announced on Wednesday that it is collaborating with the Indian government to ensure accountability for a plot targeting Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, as reported by news agency PTI.

During a Congressional hearing, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Donald Lu, emphasized the gravity of the situation. Lu informed members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee about the seriousness of the issue, highlighting that the Department of Justice had alleged the involvement of an Indian citizen, acting at the behest of a government official, in an attempted assassination of an American citizen on U.S. soil. He underscored the administration’s dedication to addressing the matter, stating, “We take this in the administration incredibly seriously and have raised it at the highest levels with India.”

In November of the previous year, U.S. prosecutors in New York unveiled an indictment charging Nikhil Gupta, aged 52, with collaborating with an Indian government employee in a thwarted scheme to assassinate Pannun, who holds citizenship in both the U.S. and Canada. The indictment detailed Gupta’s alleged contact with a criminal associate, believed to be orchestrated by an unnamed Indian official.

India responded promptly by establishing a probe committee to investigate the allegations. Pannun, recognized as a leader of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has been designated a terrorist by India.

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Donald Lu affirmed that the Biden administration is actively engaged with India to hold those responsible for the foiled plot accountable. He highlighted India’s own efforts, mentioning the establishment of an inquiry committee and urging swift and transparent action to ensure justice.

Responding to inquiries from Congressman Dean Phillips of Minnesota, Donald Lu addressed the potential consideration of sanctions akin to those imposed on over 500 individuals linked to the assassination attempt on Russia’s Alexei Navalny.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg, citing senior officials familiar with the matter, reported that India’s investigation into the U.S. claims revealed the involvement of rogue operatives not sanctioned by the government. The probe identified at least one individual directly implicated in the alleged assassination attempt who is no longer affiliated with the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India’s primary intelligence agency. India communicated these findings to U.S. authorities, underscoring its commitment to addressing the situation.