The US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller made some pretty strong statements on Wednesday where he claimed that the US has made it clear to India that they want a full and thorough investigation into the alleged foiled assassination plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.
“What I can say is that we’ve told the Government of India that we want them to carry out a full investigation. We are waiting for the outcome of that investigation, but I don’t have any updates to share,” Miller commented. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a Khalistani terrorist who holds citizenship in both the United States and Canada.
In a previous interview with ANI, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, acknowledged that India and the United States are collaborating in the investigation into the alleged failed assassination plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Garcetti had stressed that there should be a clear boundary, and no government employee from any country should be involved in plotting the assassination of a foreign citizen.
Regarding the ongoing investigation into the alleged plot to assassinate Pannun, Garcetti also mentioned that the joint efforts of New Delhi and Washington to hold those responsible for criminal actions highlight the strength and closeness of the India-US relationship.
EAM S Jaishankar on April 1 stated that the case was being investigated based on the information provided. As per the US Justice Department indictment, an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, who is currently in custody, has been charged with the murder-for-hire of Pannun. The US Justice Department had claimed that an Indian government employee, who was not identified in the indictment filed, had recruited Gupta to hire a hitman to allegedly assassinate Pannun, which was foiled by US authorities. The US envoy also appreciated that India had set up an inquiry commission to look into the matter.
Earlier in 2023, the US Department of Justice had claimed in its indictment that an Indian government employee orchestrated a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. India had then labeled this as a “concern” and had assured that further steps will be taken based on the findings of an investigation panel.
(With ANI Inputs)