India will examine any information on plot to kill Sikh separatist in US, Modi says
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi played down any impact on Indo-US diplomatic ties because of the issue.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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NEW DELHI – India will look into any information it receives on its alleged links to a foiled plot to murder a Sikh separatist leader in the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Financial Times newspaper in an interview published on Dec 20.
The issue comes at a delicate juncture for both India and the Biden administration in the US. The two sides are trying to build closer ties in the face of shared concerns about China’s growing power.
“If someone gives us any information, we would definitely look into it,” Mr Modi told the paper, as he played down any impact on diplomatic ties with Washington because of the issue.
“If a citizen of ours has done anything good or bad, we are ready to look into it. Our commitment is to the rule of law.”
In November, the US Justice Department said an Indian government official had directed the plot, and unveiled charges against a man accused of orchestrating the attempted murder
India expressed concern about the linkage and dissociated itself from the plot.
New Delhi said it would formally investigate Washington’s concerns, and take “necessary follow-up action” on the findings of a panel set up on Nov 18.
US officials have named the target of the attempted murder as Mr Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist and dual citizen of the US and Canada.
Mr Pannun is the general counsel of Sikhs for Justice, a group India labelled an “unlawful association” in 2019, citing its involvement in extremist activities.
Subsequently, in 2020, India listed Mr Pannun as an “individual terrorist”.
News of the US plot came two months after Canada said it was looking at credible allegations linking Indian agents to the June murder of Mr Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Sikh separatist
New Delhi fiercely rejected Ottawa’s accusations.
Mr Modi said India and the US shared a “mature and stable partnership”.
“Security and counter-terrorism cooperation has been a key component of our partnership,” he said.
“I don’t think it is appropriate to link a few incidents with diplomatic relations between the two countries.” REUTERS
