Prime Minister Modi: India Will Investigate Alleged Links to Foiled Plot in the U.S.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India will investigate any information it receives regarding its alleged links to a foiled plot to murder a Sikh separatist leader in the United States. The issue, which arose last month when the U.S. Justice Department revealed charges against a man accused of orchestrating the attempted murder, comes at a sensitive time as India and the Biden administration aim to strengthen ties amid shared concerns about China's influence.
Modi assured that India is committed to the rule of law and will thoroughly investigate any information provided. He downplayed the potential impact on diplomatic ties with Washington, emphasizing India's readiness to examine the actions of its citizens.
The U.S. Justice Department previously claimed that an Indian government official directed the plot. India expressed concern, dissociated itself from the conspiracy, and pledged to formally investigate the matter, taking necessary follow-up action based on the findings of a panel established on November 18.
The target of the attempted murder was identified as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist holding dual citizenship in the U.S. and Canada. Pannun is the general counsel of Sikhs for Justice, a group labeled an "unlawful association" by India in 2019 for its involvement in extremist activities. In 2020, India listed Pannun as an "individual terrorist."
This development follows Canada's allegations linking Indian agents to the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, a claim vehemently rejected by India.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the mature and stable partnership between India and the United States, emphasizing security and counter-terrorism cooperation as key components. He cautioned against linking a few incidents with the overall diplomatic relations between the two countries.
