April 30th 2024.
The White House has confirmed that India is taking the allegations surrounding the assassination plot of Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US seriously. However, they have chosen not to comment on the ongoing FBI investigation or the criminal case filed by the Department of Justice.
According to an investigative report by The Washington Post, a RAW official named Vikram Yadav, with approval from then-chief of Indian spy agency Samant Goel, was involved in the plot to assassinate Pannun in the US. Pannun, a prominent figure in the Khalistan movement and the legal advisor and spokesperson for Sikhs for Justice, an organization advocating for a separate Sikh state, has been declared a terrorist by the Indian government.
When questioned about the report, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the Department of Justice is currently conducting a criminal investigation and any specific details should be directed to them. Jean-Pierre emphasized the importance of India as a strategic partner to the US and the efforts to expand cooperation in various areas.
She also reiterated the seriousness of the matter, stating that both the US and Indian governments are taking it seriously and conducting their own investigations. The US government expects accountability from India and will continue to raise concerns directly with them.
The alleged plot to kill Pannun in the US coincided with the fatal shooting of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last year, which was also linked to Yadav. These incidents have occurred amidst a series of violent attacks in Pakistan, where several Sikh and Kashmiri separatists have been killed over the past two years.
When asked for a response to the report, senior Indian government officials named in the article did not comment. However, the Ministry of External Affairs has formed a high-level committee to investigate the allegations, as they have a direct impact on India's national security.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has also emphasized the importance of India's national security in the investigation into the alleged involvement of a government official in the plot to assassinate Pannun. The Washington Post has reported that the Biden administration has not made any charges against Yadav.
The Press Trust of India reiterated the details of the report and the statements made by the White House and Indian officials, highlighting the ongoing investigations and the seriousness of the matter.
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