Photo Credit: Nada Harib/Bloomberg
On Tuesday, an Indian investigative committee met with the US officials in Washington DC to discuss findings related to allegations that an Indian government employee orchestrated a failed assassination plot targeting a Khalistani separatist on US soil.
According to the American officials, the meeting underscores the importance India is placing on addressing the concerns raised by the US.
Earlier, the US Department of Justice had indicted an Indian businessman, Nikhil Gupta, in 2023 for allegedly conspiring to kill a Khalistani leader, believed to be Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a figure linked to the Khalistan independence movement.
The indictment however suggests the businessman acted at the behest of an Indian government employee. Gupta is currently in US custody awaiting trial.
India’s Inquiry Team Shows Seriousness In Investigation, Says John Kirby
Commenting on the ongoing investigation, John Kirby, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, emphasized that India’s decision to send a fact-finding team to the US reflects the seriousness with which New Delhi is treating the case.
Kirby stated, “The fact that they sent an inquiry committee here, I think, demonstrates that they are taking this seriously.”
The US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller noted that the dialogue between the two nations has been ongoing at the highest levels.
US Urges India To Cooperate With Canada On Khalistani Allegations, Says Mathew Miller
Addressing a press briefing, Miller asserted, “The meeting was here as a follow-up on conversations that we have been having with the Indian government at the senior-most levels over the past several months. They have told us that they are taking the allegations seriously, that the activities contained in the DOJ (Department of Justice) indictment do not represent government policy.”
Additionally, Miller also reiterated that despite these concerns, the broader US-India relationship remains robust.
He futher stated, “India continues to be an incredibly strong partner of the US. We work with them on a number of matters, including our shared vision for a free, open, prosperous Indo-Pacific. And when we have concerns, we have a relationship where we can take those concerns to them and have very frank, candid conversations about those concerns.”
Miller further added that Tuesday’s meeting served as a platform for both countries to exchange updates on their respective investigations into the case.
However, no detailed readout of the discussions was provided at the time of the briefing.
The US has also called on India to take seriously the allegations raised by Canada regarding the death of another Khalistani separatist on Canadian soil, which has strained diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Ottawa.
The US urged India to cooperate fully with Canada’s investigation into the matter, though India has not yet agreed to do so.
Referencing the recent expulsion of diplomats by both India and Canada in response to the growing tensions, Miller added, “We have made clear that the allegations are extremely serious, serious, and they need to be taken seriously.”
“And we wanted to see the Indian government cooperate with Canada in its investigation. Obviously, they have not chosen that path,” Miller asserted.
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