WASHINGTON: The United States has urged the Indian government to ensure accountability regarding the alleged involvement of Indian agents in a plot to assassinate Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Addressing a press briefing, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that the U.S. has been in direct communication with the Indian government about the investigation. “They [the Indian government] sent a delegation here two weeks ago to brief U.S. officials on the status of their investigation, and we updated them on ours. We made it clear in that meeting, as we will continue to do, that real accountability is essential,” Miller stated.
When asked if the U.S. was seeking the extradition of an Indian agent indicted by the Department of Justice, Miller responded, “That’s a matter I would refer you to the Justice Department on. When it comes to extradition, that is, of course, a legal matter, and we always defer to the DOJ on such questions.”
Addressing reports suggesting that the U.S. might expel Indian diplomats as tensions escalate between India and Canada, Miller clarified, “I am not aware of any such developments regarding expulsion.”
Recently, the United States charged former Indian intelligence officer Vikash Yadav with allegedly orchestrating a plot to kill a Sikh separatist and vocal critic of the Indian government in New York. The FBI has warned of potential retaliation against U.S.-based individuals.
Yadav’s indictment was unsealed two weeks ago by the Department of Justice, identifying him as a former operative with India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) intelligence agency.
Washington has pointed to alleged Indian involvement in this foiled assassination plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S.-Canadian dual citizen.
Amit Shah, Indian minister accused by Canada, is Modi’s closest aide
India’s interior minister Amit Shah, accused by Canada of being behind plots to target Sikh separatists in that country, has been Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s closest aide for decades and is widely seen as his hard-nosed alter ego and potential successor.
Shah’s office and the Indian foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment on the accusation. India has previously denied any role in the 2023 murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and the alleged targeting of other dissidents there, although the row has led to expulsions of diplomats in both countries.
Canada has not released any evidence of Shah’s alleged role in the campaign against separatists from India’s Sikh minority, which was referred to by Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison on Tuesday.
Many political analysts consider Amit Shah, 60, the most powerful politician in India after Modi and the two, both Hindu nationalists, have been working together in national or provincial governments for more than two decades, starting with their native Gujarat state. Shah is widely seen likely to take over if Modi leaves office.
