Five Indian American lawmakers have expressed concern that alleged actions in an Indian national’s indictment in connection with a foiled plot to assassinate a US national could cause significant damage to “very consequential” India-US partnership.
The five US Representatives— Ro Khanna (CA-17), Ami Bera (CA-06), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), and Shri Thanedar (MI-13) — expressed their concern after receiving a classified briefing from the Biden Administration on Dec 16.
They were briefed on the indictment of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national in connection with an alleged foiled plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), in New York City.
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“We appreciate the Administration providing us a classified briefing on the Department of Justice’s indictment of Nikhil Gupta, which alleges that an Indian government official engaged in a murder-for-hire plot of an American citizen,” they stated.
“As Members of Congress, the safety and well-being of our constituents is our most important priority. The allegations made in the indictment are deeply concerning,” the lawmakers stated.
“We welcome the Government of India’s announcement of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the murder plot and it is critical that India fully investigate, hold those responsible, including Indian government officials, accountable, and provide assurances that this will not happen again,” the five stated.
“We believe the US– India partnership has made meaningful impact on the lives of both of our people, but we are concerned that the actions outlined in the indictment could, if not appropriately addressed, cause significant damage to this very consequential partnership.”
India had announced a “high-level” inquiry committee on Nov 18 to probe “all relevant aspects of the matter.” The government will take necessary follow-up action based on the findings of the committee, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said at a press briefing.
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The US Justice Department last month charged Gupta and an unnamed government official with murder-for-hire charges in connection with the alleged plot targeting Pannun, who is an American and Canadian citizen.
Founder of the US-based SFJ and designated a terrorist by India in 2020, Pannun has repeatedly called for a “referendum” for an independent Sikh state, Khalistan. He has also threatened numerous Indian diplomats in Canada, including the Consul General of India in Vancouver last month.
US prosecutors have claimed that Gupta, 52, who resides in India, conspired with others to carry out the assassination of Pannun on the directions of an Indian government employee in a “$100,000” deal. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30.
Commenting on the unsealed indictment, India had last month termed the issue a “matter of concern” and “contrary” to Indian government policy.