New Delhi: Recent disclosures have shed light on the plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US-based Khalistani separatist leader, on American soil. US federal prosecutors have named Vikash Yadav, a former official of India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), as central to the conspiracy, charging him with murder-for-hire and money laundering.
The plot, which unfolded between May and June 2023, became public when Nikhil Gupta was arrested in Prague on June 30, 2023, following collaboration with an undercover US agent. Gupta, acting on Yadav's instructions, was in communication with this agent, who was posing as a hitman.
India has responded to these revelations with caution, confirming Yadav no longer works for the government and emphasizing that the plot was the work of an "individual" with criminal antecedents, not reflective of government policy. An Indian inquiry committee has been dispatched to Washington to further investigate these allegations, underlining the seriousness with which India is treating the matter. The US has commended India for its cooperative stance in this investigation, highlighting the importance of their strategic partnership. However, tensions are palpable, with US lawmakers warning of potential harm to US-India relations if not handled appropriately.
The case has also stirred public discourse, with posts on X reflecting both concern over the implications for international relations and the need for accountability. The Indian government has promised legal action against those involved, indicating that the investigation's findings will lead to expedited legal proceedings. This incident has thus become a focal point for discussions on diplomatic relations, national security, and the rule of law between India and the US.