US demands swift result, accountability from India over foiled Sikh separatist murder plot

Washington tells New Delhi to quickly investigate Indian official’s alleged role in plans to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

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Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Photo: Reuters

Published: 6:39pm, 22 Oct 2024

US officials have told their Indian counterparts they want a speedy result and more accountability after their investigation into Indian involvement in a foiled murder plot against a Sikh activist in the United States, according to a US official.

An Indian Enquiry Committee visited Washington last week to discuss India’s own investigations after the Justice Department alleged an Indian intelligence official had directed plans to assassinate dual US-Canada citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist, last year.

“We’ve communicated really clearly that the US government isn’t going to feel fully satisfied until we see that meaningful accountability takes place,” said a US official who declined to be named. “We have been emphasising that we hope that India will move as quickly as possible through their investigative process.”

The Indian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Washington’s message to Indian officials has not been previously reported.

Last week, an unsealed indictment showed that the US had charged Vikash Yadav, described as a former officer in India’s Research and Analysis Wing spy service, with directing the plot against a Sikh separatist in New York City.

The indictment alleged that beginning in May 2023, Yadav, described as an employee of the Indian government at the time, worked with others in India and abroad to direct a plot against Pannun.