Pannun murder plot: US senators seek strong response from govt over alleged India involvement

Expressing deep concerns regarding allegations of the Indian government's involvement in a thwarted plot to assassinate an American citizen on US soil, a bipartisan group of five senators urged the Biden administration to respond forcefully to ensure accountability for all those implicated in "harassment and threats" against Sikh Americans.

In a letter addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the senators also called for a briefing on the status of the administration's engagement with the Indian government concerning this issue.

Emphasizing that the US-India relationship should be rooted not only in mutual strategic interests but also in a shared commitment to democratic values and the rule of law, including respect for sovereignty and individual rights and freedoms, the senators underscored the importance of upholding these principles.

Signatories of the letter include Senator Jeffrey A Merkley, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Senator Tim Kaine, Senator Bernard Sanders, and Senator Ron Wyden.

"On November 29, 2023, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the unsealing of an indictment against Indian national Nikhil Gupta for his involvement in a thwarted plot to assassinate a US citizen in New York. The intended target, reportedly Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, is known for his criticism of the Indian government and advocacy for the secession of Punjab, an Indian state with a significant Sikh population," they conveyed.

The senators alleged that an unnamed Indian government official, in collaboration with Gupta, orchestrated the assassination plot, which was disrupted by the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

According to reports, Gupta disclosed that they had identified four targets, one of whom was Hardeep Singh Nijjar—a Canadian citizen and Sikh separatist leader who was killed in Canada in June 2023 by armed attackers.

"While we support the DOJ's endeavors to bring Gupta to justice, it is imperative for the US administration to take concrete actions to hold Indian officials accountable for their involvement in the plot and to send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated," they emphasized.

The senators stressed the importance of the US taking a firm stance against threats to the rights of its citizens and violations of its sovereignty.

They also called on the Department of State for a briefing on its strategies to pressure the Indian government to ensure accountability for those involved and prevent the recurrence of such acts of transnational repression.

"With India's 2024 general election concluded and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Modi returning to power, the United States has an opportunity to prioritize this issue in its engagements with the Indian government," they noted.

The lawmakers emphasized the necessity for the US to stand firm against transnational repression, regardless of the perpetrator.