US’ message to India on Gurpatwant Pannun assassination plot: ‘Won’t be fully satisfied until…’
Vedant Patel mentioned that there had been significant interaction with India’s investigative committee concerning the purportedly thwarted assassination scheme targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, describing it as “meaningful engagement.
The United States, in a statement on Tuesday (local time), disclosed a significant interaction that took place with India’s investigative committee the previous week concerning the thwarted plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a pro-Khalistani individual based in the US. Both governments shared crucial information to advance their separate probes.
During a press conference, Vedant Patel, the principal deputy spokesperson for the US, emphasized that the United States will continue to seek substantial accountability from the investigation concerning the Gurpatwant Singh Pannun case, as per a report by news agency ANI.
Vedant Patel mentioned that the United States acknowledges the Indian inquiry committee’s ongoing investigation and looks forward to witnessing additional progress following the recent discussions between officials of both countries.
The deputy spokesperson commented on the US government’s communication regarding the Gurpatwant Pannun case, emphasizing the productive interaction with India’s inquiry committee. Both governments exchanged information to advance their investigations. It was acknowledged that the Indian inquiry committee will persist with its probe, and anticipates progress in line with the discussions from the previous week.
We maintain our anticipation for accountability in line with the investigation’s findings. The United States will only consider the matter resolved once substantial accountability measures are implemented as a result of the investigation. As this issue is still live and undergoing investigation in both our nations, I prefer not to delve into additional specifics at this time,” he further stated.
The Indian inquiry committee, according to the US Department of State, has traveled to the United States to probe the alleged connection of a former Indian government official in a thwarted conspiracy to assassinate an American citizen.
India has labeled Gurpatwant Pannun as a terrorist.
Gurpatwant Pannun, an individual designated as a terrorist by India, possesses citizenship of both the United States and Canada. Recently, in November, the US Justice Department revealed an indictment against an Indian citizen, accusing him of participating in a thwarted scheme to assassinate Gurpatwant Pannun.
Report: India under pressure from the United States to expedite accountability in Pannun murder conspiracy
According to a US official cited by the news agency Reuters, American authorities have conveyed to Indian officials their desire for a prompt resolution and increased responsibility following their inquiry into Indian participation in the Pannun case.
According to an anonymous US official cited by Reuters, it has been emphatically stated that the US government will not be completely content until substantial accountability measures are observed.
The official stressed the importance of India progressing swiftly through their investigative process.
The request for comment made to the Indian embassy in Washington did not receive an immediate response. Prior reporting on Washington’s communication with Indian officials is unavailable.
Vikash Yadav, a former officer in India’s Research and Analysis Wing spy service, was recently charged by the United States for allegedly orchestrating a scheme targeting Sikh separatists in New York City, as revealed in a newly unsealed indictment from last week.
Accused in the indictment, Vikash Yadav, reportedly a former Indian government worker, was implicated in orchestrating a conspiracy alongside collaborators in India and overseas aimed at targeting Pannun, starting from May 2023.
The individual identified in the US Justice Department’s indictment regarding the thwarted assassination plot is no longer affiliated with the Indian government, as confirmed by the ministry of external affairs (MEA).
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated during a press conference that as per the information provided by the US State Department, the person mentioned in the Justice Department’s indictment is no longer working for the Indian government. Jaiswal confirmed the individual’s employment status has ceased with the Government of India.
Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, revealed in September that the Canadian intelligence agency was investigating believable accusations pointing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration as being responsible for the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist from Canada.
