Full investigation into alleged failed plot to kill Pannun called for by the White House
Washington, DC [US], December 8 (ANI): The White House emphasised the strategic partnership between the United States and India while urging New Delhi to ensure accountability in the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an American citizen.
National Security spokesperson John Kirby addressed reporters at a White House news conference, highlighting the importance of the bilateral relationship. “India is a strategic partner. We’re deepening that strategic partnership. They’re a member of the Quad in the Pacific. We participate with them on a range of issues and we want to see that continue unabated. That said, at the same time, we certainly recognise the seriousness of these allegations,” Kirby said. In response to a question about the possible effect on the US-India relationship, Kirby emphasized the importance of conducting a comprehensive investigation. “We want a thorough investigation and appropriate accountability for those involved. An active investigation is underway. We’ve expressed our gratitude that our Indian counterparts are acting accordingly and taking it seriously. We want the people who carried out these attacks to be held fully accountable, but I won’t jump ahead of an ongoing investigation,” he continued.
As for the connection between organized crime and human trafficking in the context of an alleged attempt on the life of a US national, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Thursday that an inquiry committee was looking into inputs shared by the US and that Canada had given no evidence about its allegations, so the question of equitable treatment to the two countries does not arise. The minister was replying to a query from CPI (M) MP John Brittas in the Rajya Sabha concerning media reports that the US had connected an Indian official to a purported attempt on the life of a US national, as well as the government’s denial of Canada’s accusations.
He stated that an inquiry committee has been established and that the US’s shared inputs have an impact on the nation’s national security.
“As part of our security cooperation with the US, we received some inputs regarding the US. We were concerned about those contributions since they touched on issues relating to trafficking, organized crime, and other related topics. Thus, it was determined to launch an investigation into it since it affects our own national security into the matter and an inquiry committee has been constituted. Regarding Canada, we did not receive any particular evidence or inputs,” the minister stated.
“So, the question of equitable treatment to two countries one of whom has provided inputs and one of whom has not, does not arise,” he stated.
Brittas questioned whether India was not treating the two nations equally.
Arindam Bagchi, a spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs, revealed during a media briefing last month that the US side shared some information regarding the connections between terrorists, gun runners, organized crime, and other extremists during talks on bilateral security cooperation. “We naturally take these suggestions very seriously, and a high-level inquiry committee has been established to examine all pertinent facets of the situation. A spokesperson had stated, “And appropriate follow-up action will be taken based on the enquiry committee’s findings.”
The spokesperson further mentioned that the US Department of Justice had unsealed an indictment against an Indian national who was allegedly involved in an abortive attempt to kill a Sikh separatist residing in the US. “It is concerning about the lawsuit that has been brought in a US court against a person who is purportedly connected to an Indian official. Let me say again that this is against government policy, as we have stated. A high-level inquiry committee has been established specifically to address the seriousness of the relationship between international extremism, gun trafficking, organized crime, and law enforcement agencies. The committee’s findings will undoubtedly serve as a guide for us, a MEA spokesperson had stated.
“When it comes to Canada, we have stated that they have continuously allowed violence and extremists who are against India, and that is essentially the core of the issue. Since this has primarily affected our diplomatic representatives in Canada, we expect the Canadian government to uphold its end of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. Additionally, we have witnessed Canadian diplomats meddling in our domestic affairs. It is obviously unacceptable that we said this from this podium,” he continued.
The US Justice Department had stated that an Indian government employee—whose identity was withheld from the indictment filed in a Manhattan federal court—had allegedly recruited Nikhil Gupta, another Indian national, to hire a hitman to carry out the Sikh Separatist’s assassination, which US authorities had prevented. According to the US Justice Department, Gupta is an associate of CC-1, the unidentified person who is said to have directed the plot, and in his communications with CC-1, he has disclosed his involvement in the trafficking of weapons and illegal drugs internationally. According to the indictment, CC-1 oversaw the assassination scheme from India.
