Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finally addressed the allegations surrounding India’s purported links to a US assassination plot. This marks the first time that Modi has publicly spoken about the issue, expressing India’s willingness to investigate any evidence provided on the alleged links.
In November, the US charged an Indian man with conspiring to murder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist leader based in New York. Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen and supporter of the Khalistan movement, has been designated as a terrorist by India, yet he vehemently denies these allegations and claims to be an activist.
US prosecutors assert that an Indian government official directed the alleged hitman. These allegations have come amid a diplomatic row between India and Canada, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accusing India of having links to the murder of another Sikh separatist leader. India has denied these allegations and accused Canada of harboring “Khalistani terrorists and extremists,” straining bilateral ties.
The recent accusations of extra-judicial killings of Sikh separatists have the potential to impact India’s relationship with the US. Experts suggest that this development may dent the growing ties between the two nations. However, Modi expressed confidence in the upward trajectory of the relationship, highlighting the bipartisan support. India remains concerned about the activities of extremist groups operating abroad.
As the allegations continue to make headlines, it remains to be seen how the investigations unfold and if they will have lasting implications for India’s international relations.
