‘We Continue To Expect Accountability From India’: US On RAW Official Alleged Involvement In Killing Pannun

The United States has reiterated its stance on seeking accountability from the Indian government in relation to the ongoing investigation into the alleged assassination plot of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York. Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State, Vedant Patel highlighted that there is an ongoing dialogue between the two nations, with the US expecting transparency and responsibility from Indian authorities. Patel addressed concerns raised in a recent news article by The Washington Post, which implicated an Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) official in the alleged plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US.

Patel stressed the importance of accountability, stating, “We continue to expect accountability from the Government of India based on the results of the Indian inquiry committee’s work. We are actively engaging with Indian officials to seek updates on the progress of the investigation.” Patel further reiterated the US’s commitment to addressing these concerns directly with senior officials in the Indian government. “We’ll also continue to raise our concerns directly with the Indian government at senior levels…”

Rejection of Claims by MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs promptly rejected the claims made in The Washington Post report. The report had alleged the involvement of an Indian RAW official in the assassination plot. Despite the denial from Indian authorities, the US remains steadfast in its pursuit of accountability and transparency in this matter.

Describing it as an “unwarranted and unsubstantiated” imputation on a “serious matter” that is under investigation, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the US media report was “speculative and irresponsive.”

In response to media queries on the report that appeared in Washington Post, a US national daily, Jaiswal said that a High-Level Committee set up by the Indian government is carrying out an investigation into the security concerns shared by the US government on networks of organized criminals, terrorists, and others.

“The report in question makes unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a serious matter. There is an ongoing investigation of the High-Level Committee set up by the Government of India to look into the security concerns shared by the US government on networks of organised criminals, terrorists and others. Speculative and irresponsible comments on it are not helpful.”

The Washington Post report

Citing officials and a US indictment, the Washington Post report claimed that the RAW official identified as Vikram Yadav had directed Indian businessman Nikhil Gupta, now in custody in the Czech Republic pending extradition to the US to stand trial in the case, to hire a hitman to kill GS Pannun outside his New York residence.

As per the report in the US daily, the operation targeting Pannun was approved by then-RAW chief Samant Goel. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is an India-designated terrorist who holds American and Canadian citizenship.

Earlier in November, the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment against an Indian national for his alleged involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun. As per the US Justice Department indictment, Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, who is currently in custody, has been charged with the murder-for-hire of Pannun.