US Prevents Indian Plot to Assassinate Sikh Leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
On November 22, 2023, the Financial Times (FT) reported a shocking revelation that the US authorities thwarted an Indian conspiracy to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the pro-Khalistan leader of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), on American soil.
The development comes in the wake of Canada's assertion two months ago, and US prosecutors have filed a sealed indictment against at least one suspect. Pannun, an American and Canadian citizen, has been running a worldwide campaign called Khalistan Referendum, with over 1.3 million Sikhs participating so far.
Background
The FT revealed that the Indian government was allegedly behind the plot, prompting a diplomatic warning from the US to India. It remains unclear whether the protest led the plotters to abandon their plan or if the FBI intervened to foil the scheme.
In September, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linked New Delhi to the fatal shooting of Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, further raising concerns among allies about a possible pattern of behavior.
Legal Proceedings
US federal prosecutors have filed a sealed indictment, and the US Justice Department is considering whether to make the allegations public. The National Security Council emphasized the importance of upholding the safety and security of US citizens.
International Response
Washington shared details with allies, sparking concern about India's reliability as a trusted partner. Despite the tensions, Pannun urged Indian officials to address the issue peacefully and issued a cautionary video to Sikhs regarding Air India.
Source: Financial Times (FT) - Published on Wednesday, November 22, 2023
