Pannun Case: US Democratic Senators Advocate Strong Diplomatic Action

The Biden administration is being pressured by a group of prominent Democratic senators to initiate a "strong diplomatic response" to allegations that a foiled plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist leader, on US soil involved the Indian government.

The importance of holding those responsible accountable and urging India to uphold its human rights commitments was emphasized by the senators.

Senators Push for Strong Diplomatic Response in Pannun Case

Meanwhile, in a US court, Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national extradited by the Czech Republic, was reported to have pleaded not guilty in the alleged murder-for-hire case. It has been stated that India denied any involvement in the Pannun case. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who holds dual American and Canadian citizenship, had been designated a terrorist by India, as reported by India Today.

A two-page letter was sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday by the senators, led by Jeff Merkley from Oregon and including Ron Wyden (Oregon), Tim Kaine (Virginia), Bernie Sanders (Vermont), and Chris Van Hollen (Maryland). The senators requested a strong diplomatic response to ensure that all those involved are held accountable and requested a briefing on the status of the administration's engagement with the Indian government on this matter, as reported by PTI.

The allegations come as Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of being part of the murder-for-hire plot against Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, was reported to have pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court on Monday. Gupta, 52, was extradited to the US from the Czech Republic on Friday.

At the request of the US government, he was arrested in the Czech Republic last year on charges of being involved in a plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York. According to US federal prosecutors, it is alleged that Gupta hired a hitman to kill Pannun and paid $15,000 in advance, reported India Today.

It is also alleged by US federal prosecutors that Gupta acted on the instructions of an unnamed Indian government official.

Senators Call for Accountability and Human Rights Commitment

Accountability and Commitment to Human Rights are sought by the senators, emphasizing the importance of holding those responsible accountable and urging India to uphold its human rights commitments.

It was stated in the letter, reported by PTI, that with India's 2024 general election concluded and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi returning to power, an opportunity exists for the United States to include this issue as a core agenda item with the Indian government.

It was further asserted that the United States must be firm and resolute in opposing transnational repression, regardless of the perpetrator. The importance of grounding the US-India relationship in a shared commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law was stressed, as per media report.

Reference was made in the letter to Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu's statement to the House Foreign Affairs Committee in March, where it was confirmed that the plot had been raised "at the highest levels with India" by the Biden administration.

Allegations Against Indian Officials and Government Response

In April 2024, The Washington Post reported that Vikram Yadav, an officer with India's Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), had been implicated as the official behind the plot. It was also mentioned in the report that the operation had been approved by then R&AW chief Samant Goel.

However, the report was dismissed by India's Ministry of External Affairs, which stated that it made "unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations" to claim that Indian agents were involved in the plot to assassinate Pannun, as reported by India Today.

Whether the alleged assassination attempt was discussed during recent talks between US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval remains unclear. Pannun, designated as a terrorist by India, has long been a vocal critic of the Indian government.