S Jaishankar Invokes “National Security” Concerns in Investigating US Allegations on Khalistani Terrorist’s Assassination Conspiracy

India Forms Inquiry Committee to Probe US Claims on Khalistani Terrorist’s Murder Plot

India has established an inquiry committee to investigate the information received from the United States, as it has significant implications for the country’s national security, stated External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a session in the Rajya Sabha. This comes in the wake of Washington’s allegations of an Indian connection to a failed plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on American soil.

Responding to a supplementary question regarding the US charges, Minister Jaishankar clarified that they were not directly related to the original question, which focused on the foreign visits of Union ministers. He explained that the US had shared specific inputs with India as part of their security cooperation, which raised concerns about organized crime, trafficking, and other related issues. Due to the potential impact on national security, it was deemed necessary to initiate an inquiry into the matter, resulting in the formation of an inquiry committee.

The minister was also questioned about the perceived lack of equitable treatment regarding charges made by the Canadian government. In response, he highlighted that no specific evidence or inputs were provided by Canada to India. Hence, the question of equitable treatment between the two countries, one of which shared information while the other did not, does not arise.

Last month, US federal prosecutors charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta for allegedly collaborating with an Indian government employee in a thwarted plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Pannun, a dual citizen of the US and Canada, was the intended target. Additionally, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made explosive allegations on September 18, suggesting the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, on Canadian soil on June 18. India vehemently denied Trudeau’s claims, labeling them as “absurd” and “motivated.”

The inquiry committee’s findings are eagerly awaited as they will shed light on the veracity of the US claims and provide clarity on the matter.