India has formed a high-level inquiry committee to investigate allegations surrounding a purported conspiracy to assassinate a Sikh extremist on U.S. soil.
According to The Financial Times, it has been disclosed that U.S. authorities had thwarted a plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and raised concerns with the Indian government about its potential involvement in the scheme.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is recognized as a Sikh extremist who holds American and Canadian citizenship and has faced charges related to terrorism according to Indian investigative agencies.
What did the External Affairs Ministry say?
On Wednesday, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi announced that the high-level inquiry committee was established on November 18 to comprehensively examine all relevant aspects of the situation.
"We have already said that during the course of discussions with the US on bilateral security cooperation, the US side shared some inputs pertaining to nexus between organised criminals, gun runners, terrorists and others," Bagchi said.
"We had also indicated that India takes such inputs seriously since they impinge on our national security interests as well, and relevant departments were already examining the issue," he said.
"In this context, it is informed that on November 18, the Government of India constituted a high-level Enquiry Committee to look into all the relevant aspects of the matter," he added.
Bagchi said India will take necessary follow-up action based on the findings of the committee.
The FT report came weeks after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in a Vancouver suburb in June.
Following the report, Bagchi on November 22 said the US side shared some inputs pertaining to the nexus between organised criminals, gun runners, terrorists and others.
He said the inputs are a "cause of concern" for both countries and they decided to take necessary follow-up action.
