PM Modi Responds To US Allegation On India Over Khalistani Separatist Assassination Plot
In an interview with the Financial Times, Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence on the US allegation of India plotting to murder a Sikh separatist on American soil. Putting cold water on the diplomatic impact between India-US ties, PM Modi said he would “definitely look into it (the allegation),” and highlighted his commitment to the rule of law.
US Department of Justice (DOJ) had recently blamed senior Indian intelligence official, Nikhil Gupta for plotting the assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S.-based Khalistani activist.
In the interview, Modi said: “If someone gives us any information, we would definitely look into it, If a citizen of ours has done anything good or bad, we are ready to look into it.”
PM Modi also raised his concern over the activities of some terrorist groups outside the country. There have been many threat calls from the khalistani separatists overseas, and the reported recruitment of Panjab youth for the terror activities against India.
“These elements, under the guise of freedom of expression, have engaged in intimidation and incited violence,” he said.
As worries about the India-US ties over India’s alleged hand in the plot have been increasing, PM Modi emphasized the bipartisan support for enhancing the relationship. “Security and counter-terrorism cooperation has been a key component of our partnership, I don’t think it is appropriate to link a few incidents with diplomatic relations between the two countries,” PM added.
Though India seems to be closer to the US, the government”s foreign policy has been following its larger interest, as it decided to buy Russian oil despite the pressure from the US and its Western allies.
Prime Minister Modi said, “We need to accept the fact that we are living in the era of multilateralism, the world is interconnected as well as interdependent. This reality compels us to recognize that absolute agreement on all matters cannot be a prerequisite for collaboration.”
PM Modi has, however suggested that a few incidents will not derail the relationship between India and US.
The US indictment had accused an Indian official Nikhil Gupta of hiring a hit man to carry out the contract killing in the US. India’s external affair ministry had recently said that it has set up a high-level enquiry committee to investigate the allegation raised by the US government department that India plotted the assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a wanted Khalistani activist for India.
