India slams US media report linking RAW officer to Pannun plot
India vehemently denied on tuesday a Washington Post article that said a former indian intelligence official had planned to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on US territory. According to the article, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an indian national living in the united states and declared terrorist, was the target of a hit crew hired by vikram Yadav, a former official with India's research and analysis wing (RAW).
Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs, described the story as "unwarranted and unsubstantiated." According to Jaiswal, a high-level committee set up by the indian government is now looking at security issues related to terrorist and criminal networks that the US has brought up.
"Speculative and irresponsible comments on it are not helpful," he stated.
This comes after tensions erupted in november 2022 following reports in the Financial Times that the US had foiled a plan to assassinate Pannun and had warned india about its purported complicity.
Subsequently, an indictment was filed in a Manhattan court designating Nikhil Gupta, an indian national, as a conspirator who allegedly worked with an unidentified indian official, known as "CC-1," in the scheme.
Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs, described the story as "unwarranted and unsubstantiated." According to Jaiswal, a high-level committee set up by the indian government is now looking at security issues related to terrorist and criminal networks that the US has brought up.
"Speculative and irresponsible comments on it are not helpful," he stated.
This comes after tensions erupted in november 2022 following reports in the Financial Times that the US had foiled a plan to assassinate Pannun and had warned india about its purported complicity.
Subsequently, an indictment was filed in a Manhattan court designating Nikhil Gupta, an indian national, as a conspirator who allegedly worked with an unidentified indian official, known as "CC-1," in the scheme.
"CC-1" was revealed by The Washington Post to be vikram Yadav.
India has refuted these allegations time and time again, stating that they are "contrary to government policy." In november 2023, a high-level inquiry committee was established to look into the claims.
India's national security interests are implicated in its probe into the suspected participation of a government official in the Pannun assassination plot, according to statements made earlier this month by External Affairs minister S Jaishankar.
The Biden administration has decided not to prosecute vikram Yadav, according to The Washington Post.
India has refuted these allegations time and time again, stating that they are "contrary to government policy." In november 2023, a high-level inquiry committee was established to look into the claims.
India's national security interests are implicated in its probe into the suspected participation of a government official in the Pannun assassination plot, according to statements made earlier this month by External Affairs minister S Jaishankar.
The Biden administration has decided not to prosecute vikram Yadav, according to The Washington Post.
In the meanwhile, the white house stated that, in light of the investigation's findings, it anticipates that the indian government would accept responsibility.
"We are treating this as a severe issue and are taking it quite seriously. Karine Jean-Pierre, press secretary for the white house, stated, "The government of india has made it very clear to us that they are taking this seriously and will investigate."
"On the basis of it, we anticipate accountability from the government. However, we will keep voicing our concerns. It won't end like that. We will keep bringing up our issues with the indian government directly," she continued.
"We are treating this as a severe issue and are taking it quite seriously. Karine Jean-Pierre, press secretary for the white house, stated, "The government of india has made it very clear to us that they are taking this seriously and will investigate."
"On the basis of it, we anticipate accountability from the government. However, we will keep voicing our concerns. It won't end like that. We will keep bringing up our issues with the indian government directly," she continued.