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Last Updated: December 06, 2023, 08:56 IST
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, left, speaks, Sept. 26, 2014 in New York. (AP File Photo)
US awaits India’s investigation results into alleged plot to assassinate Sikh leader; diplomatic concerns addressed
The United States on Tuesday said it will wait to see the results of the investigation announced by India concerning allegations of the involvement of an Indian official in a plot to assassinate a separatist Sikh leader in the US.
“…We have noted at the most senior levels of this government the secretary of state has raised this directly with his foreign counterpart that we take this issue very seriously. They told us they would conduct an investigation,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a news conference.
“They have publicly announced an investigation. Now, we will wait to see the results of the investigation,” Miller said in response to a question. American prosecutors have linked an Indian official to a man charged with conspiring to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on US soil.
Last week, US federal prosecutors charged Nikhil Gupta, 52, of working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh extremist. The US prosecutors informed a Manhattan court that authorities in the Czech Republic arrested and detained Gupta.
The Biden administration earlier had welcomed India’s decision to announce a high-level probe into its allegations that an Indian official was involved in a foiled plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on American soil. The indictment of Gupta has created some ripples in the diplomatic relations between the two countries, but top sources in the Indian government told News18 there is “absolutely no impact” on bilateral ties.
“We take Indo-US relations very seriously, and any allegations, information or indictment is a matter of serious concern. We will definitely look into the allegations made by the Americans and we will cooperate on everything. We will come in black and white. All our deals, strategic partnerships and investment will continue and we are working on major projects and corridors as announced during the G20 summit,” the sources told News18.
