Democratic Senators Urge Action on Alleged Assassination Plot Against Sikh Separatist

A coalition of influential Democratic senators has called for a decisive diplomatic stance by the Biden administration regarding the alleged involvement of the Indian government in a thwarted assassination attempt on a Sikh separatist in the United States. The request, articulated in a two-page letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, was endorsed by Senators Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden, Tim Kaine, Bernie Sanders, and Chris Van Hollen. They emphasized the necessity for accountability and sought an update on discussions with the Indian government concerning this serious allegation.

The incident centers around Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national implicated in a murder-for-hire scheme targeting Sikh extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on U.S. territory. Gupta, who faced arraignment in a New York federal court, entered a plea of not guilty. His legal representation, Jeffrey Chabrowe, confirmed his client's plea. U.S. federal prosecutors suggest Gupta acted under instructions from an unidentified official within the Indian government. Despite these claims, India has categorically denied any involvement and has initiated a comprehensive investigation into these allegations.

The senators' letter underscores the importance of India adhering to human rights standards globally as it pursues a more prominent role on the world stage. This issue gains additional relevance in light of India's recent general election results, which saw the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi secure another term in office. The letter argues for the inclusion of this matter in future dialogues between the United States and India.

Highlighting the multifaceted relationship between the U.S. and India, which spans security cooperation, trade, and cultural exchanges, the senators stressed that this partnership should be rooted in mutual respect for democratic values and legal principles. This stance comes amid reports by The Washington Post in April 2024 identifying R&AW officer Vikram Yadav as the mastermind behind the assassination plot, with approval from then R&AW chief Samant Goel. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has dismissed these allegations as baseless.

Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu informed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on March 20 about high-level discussions with India regarding the plot. The senators are advocating for the U.S. Department of State to urge the Indian government to ensure accountability for those involved and prevent any future acts of transnational repression.

During an official visit to New Delhi from June 17 to 18, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan engaged in talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit K Doval. Although it remains unclear if the alleged assassination attempt on Pannun—who is designated as a terrorist by India—was addressed during their meeting, this dialogue signifies ongoing high-level engagements between the two nations on critical issues.