US-India Relations; Accusations of Indian intelligence officials’ involvement in assassination plots are escalating tensions between the United States and India.According to a Washington Post report, an Indian intelligence officer allegedly participated in a thwarted assassination attempt against a prominent US critic of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The same officer reportedly has links to the fatal shooting of a Sikh activist in Canada last year.
India’s government strongly refutes these claims, calling them “unfounded allegations.” The Indian Foreign Ministry, through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, emphasized the seriousness of the issue and urged against speculation. However, the White House has expressed deep concern, with Karine Jean-Pierre, a spokesperson, stating their intention to keep pressing the matter with India.
This isn’t the first time such accusations have surfaced. Last November, US authorities suspected an Indian official of orchestrating an attack on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist with dual US and Canadian citizenship. India has consistently denied involvement and pledged a formal investigation based on the findings of a recently established panel.
Pannun, affiliated with the “Sikhs for Justice” group, which India considers an extremist organization, has been branded a “terrorist” by the Indian government due to the group’s alleged involvement in violent activities.
These developments pose a significant challenge for both the US and India, especially as the two nations strive to strengthen their partnership in the face of a common concern: China’s growing influence. This situation follows Canada’s announcement two months ago of investigating credible evidence linking Indian agents to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Sikh separatist, in Vancouver. India has emphatically rejected these accusations as well.