NEW YORK: India’s expanding covert global operations, including allegations of espionage and extraterritorial assassinations, have come under scrutiny, triggering concerns from the United States, according to reports by The New York Times newspaper.
The American newspaper highlighted the growing covert activities of the Indian government, emphasizing that this is the second time in recent months that India has faced questions about its involvement in an assassination plot on Western soil. The report suggests that American officials have expressed concerns to New Delhi regarding a thwarted plan to kill a US-Canadian citizen, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a lawyer for Sikhs for Justice (SfJ).
While US officials did not publicly accuse India of orchestrating the assassination plot, recent revelations come on the heels of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation against the Indian government in the killing of another Sikh separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on Canadian territory.
According to reports, the Biden administration informed the Indian government about information that could link it to the plot against Pannun. Additionally, Intercept, an American online news outlet, reported that India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has allegedly been planning assassinations targeting Sikh and Kashmiri activists living abroad, working in collaboration with local networks.
India Reportedly Targeting Kashmiri and Sikh Activists
RAW is reported to be targeting people and religious institutions supporting the freedom movement in the disputed Kashmir region and Sikh activists residing outside India, as per intelligence documents cited by Intercept.
In response to these reports, the Indian foreign ministry issued a statement acknowledging discussions with the United States on the matter. The statement mentioned shared concerns about the nexus between organized criminals, gun runners, terrorists, and others, prompting both countries to consider necessary follow-up actions.
The White House’s National Security Council, in its statement, asserted that the issue is treated with the utmost seriousness, and the concerns have been raised with the Indian government at the highest levels. Indian counterparts expressed surprise and concern, stating that such activities were not in line with their policy.
The New York Times emphasized that despite the concerns expressed privately, the Biden administration places importance on growing relations with India. The two nations have expanded defense and trade ties, with the United States seeking to counter China’s influence in the region.
However, if India were found to be involved in a plot within the United States, it would represent a significant breach against a powerful democratic ally. This will intensify questions about India’s reliability as a partner.
