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The Financial Times in a report indicates that the United States had foiled a plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. It is reported that the US government had “issued a warning” to India over concerns that New Delhi was “involved in the plot” to assassinate Pannun.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun holds American and Canadian citizenship and is a leader of the US-based group Sikhs for Justice, for advocating an independent Sikh state. India has designated Sikhs for Justice as a terrorist outfit.
“We are treating this issue with utmost seriousness, and it has been raised by the U.S. government with the Indian government, including at the senior-most levels,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement.
“Indian counterparts expressed surprise and concern,” Watson said. “They stated that activity of this nature was not their policy.”
The allegations come months ahead of an expected visit to India for the Quad Leaders’ summit by the US President.
This FT report comes within weeks after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went public with allegations that agents linked to the Indian government were involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, also a Khalistan advocate like Pannun, was killed in a shooting in Canada’s Surrey in June this year.
Trudeau’s allegations were denied strongly by the Indian government and it caused a diplomatic row between India and Canada with a dip in ties.
