India Considers Institutional Reforms Amid US Claims of Plot Against Pro-Khalistan Leader

India has informed the United States that it is contemplating “potential institutional reforms” in response to allegations by US prosecutors implicating an Indian government official in a foiled attempt to target pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. This announcement was made by Kurt M. Campbell, Deputy Secretary of State in the US government, during a press briefing.

Campbell highlighted India’s cooperation and responsiveness concerning the issue but reiterated the US’s commitment to holding the Indian government accountable for the allegations. His remarks were made in the context of a March report by Bloomberg, which stated that India had conveyed to the US that “rogue” operatives, unauthorized by the government, were behind the alleged plot to kill Pannun.

US prosecutors claim that Indian national Nikhil Gupta, 53, conspired with an Indian government official to hire a ‘hitman,’ who turned out to be an undercover American federal agent. Gupta was arrested by Czech authorities in June and recently extradited to the US at the request of American authorities. The case suggests that Gupta was promised the resolution of a criminal case in Gujarat in exchange for planning the assassination.

During his arraignment in a New York federal court, Gupta pleaded ‘not guilty.’ Following the announcement of Gupta’s custody, US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized that the extradition “makes clear that the Justice Department will not tolerate attempts to silence or harm American citizens.” Garland stated, “Nikhil Gupta will now face justice in an American courtroom for his involvement in an alleged plot, directed by an employee of the Indian government, to target and assassinate a US citizen for his support of the Sikh separatist movement in India.”

These allegations come after Canada had previously suggested that Indian government officials were potentially involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh activist and Canadian national.

The situation has put a spotlight on India’s internal security and international relations, raising questions about the extent of governmental oversight and the actions of unauthorized operatives. The proposed institutional reforms are likely aimed at addressing these concerns and preventing future incidents.

To summarize, the charges against an Indian government official for plotting against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun have led to a serious diplomatic exchange between India and the US. The international community will be watching closely as the case progresses and as India addresses these serious charges.