In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the allegations of India’s involvement in a murder plot in the US. Modi stated that India will “definitely look into” any evidence provided regarding the alleged links to the assassination plot of a Sikh separatist leader in New York. This marks the first public response from the Indian Prime Minister on the issue.
The US charged an Indian man in November with conspiring to murder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist leader who is a dual US-Canadian citizen and a vocal supporter of the Khalistan movement. The US prosecutors claimed that the accused had paid a hitman $100,000 in cash to assassinate Pannun, and that he was allegedly directed by an Indian government official.
Modi assured that India is committed to the rule of law and is prepared to investigate if any citizen of theirs has been involved in any illegal activities. He emphasized that the allegations will not affect the ties between India and the US. However, experts believe that the recent accusations of extra-judicial killings of Sikh separatists could potentially strain India’s growing relationship with the US.
The allegations against India come just a few months after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of having links to the murder of another Sikh separatist leader named Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. India, on the other hand, has strongly denied these allegations and accused Canada of providing shelter to Khalistani terrorists and extremists, posing a threat to India’s security.
The diplomatic row between India and Canada has caused damage to their bilateral ties, and the recent allegations against India’s involvement in the murder plot further add tension to their relationship. However, Modi remains optimistic about the upward trajectory of India-US relations. He cited strong bipartisan support as a clear indicator of a mature and stable partnership between the two countries.
The Khalistan movement, which advocates for a separate Sikh state, gained momentum in the 1980s in Punjab, India. The Indian government suppressed the movement through force, and it has since lost much of its support within India. However, it still has a following among the Sikh diaspora in countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK.
The allegations of India’s involvement in the murder plots of Sikh separatist leaders not only strain India’s relations with the US and Canada but also raise concerns about the activities of certain extremist groups based overseas. India remains committed to countering these groups, as stated by Modi during the interview.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Modi’s response to the allegations of India’s involvement in the US murder plot asserts India’s commitment to the rule of law and willingness to investigate any wrongdoing by its citizens. While the allegations may impact India’s diplomatic relations with the US and Canada, Modi expresses confidence in the strength and stability of the India-US partnership. The accusations also highlight the ongoing concerns regarding the activities of extremist groups. Overall, India will continue to address these challenges and work towards maintaining strong bilateral relationships with its international partners.
