US Alleges Indian Official’s Involvement in Foiled Plot to Kill Sikh Separatist in New York City

180

US federal prosecutors have alleged that an Indian government official was involved in a murder-for-hire plot against a Sikh activist in New York City, complicating the Biden administration’s efforts to strengthen ties with India in response to the China challenge.

The accusations, outlined in an unsealed indictment, charge an Indian citizen with collaborating with the unnamed official to carry out the plot. Although the target was not explicitly named, it has been confirmed as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen associated with the group Sikhs for Justice, advocating for an independent Sikh state in India called “Khalistan.”

This development, along with a similar case involving the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, has strained US efforts to enhance relations with India. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged “credible allegations” linking India to Nijjar’s murder.

The indictment points to an Indian government official, referred to as CC-1, who allegedly directed the murder plot from India. The co-conspirator, Nikhil Gupta, was promised relief from criminal charges in India by CC-1. Gupta unwittingly contacted an undercover law enforcement officer, leading to his arrest in the Czech Republic.

The plot allegedly connects to the murder of Nijjar, with Gupta providing information about a “big target” in Canada before Nijjar’s killing. The Indian official sent a video of Nijjar’s murder to Gupta and later shared Pannun’s New York address.

Pannun, believing the Indian government is targeting him for organizing a referendum on Punjab’s independence, sees the incident as an act of “transnational terrorism” by India. He accuses Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of violating human rights.

Responding to the allegations, India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that a high-level inquiry committee was formed on November 18 to investigate the matter. The Biden administration has expressed concern, with senior intelligence officials and Secretary of State Antony Blinken raising the issue with their Indian counterparts.

This case, significant enough for top US intelligence officials to visit India, poses challenges to the Biden administration’s strategy of deepening ties with India to counter China. The indictment alleges the Indian official agreed to pay $100,000 for the assassination, further complicating diplomatic relations between the two countries.