New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has broken his silence on the allegations of an Indian plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US, underscoring in an interview that India would “look into” any evidence.
In the interview to British daily Financial Times — his first to the media on the issue — Modi also underlined that a “few incidents” would not hurt diplomatic ties between the US and India.
“If someone gives us any information, we would definitely look into it,” Modi said. “If a citizen of ours has done anything good or bad, we are ready to look into it. Our commitment is to the rule of law.”
“I don’t think it is appropriate to link a few incidents with diplomatic relations between the two countries,” he added, when asked if this would derail ties between New Delhi and Washington.
His remarks come in the wake of a US indictment, which claimed an Indian government employee (named CC-1) recruited Indian national Nikhil Gupta to hire a hitman in the US to kill Pannun.
The Financial Times had first reported that the US authorities had foiled the alleged plot to assassinate the Indian-origin American citizen.
India, meanwhile, has set up an inquiry committee to look into the claims and has vowed to take necessary action on its findings.
Top US officials have visited India since the unsealing of the indictment last month, including FBI Director Christopher Wray and US Principal Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) Jon Finer. The foiled assassination plot was discussed during their meetings with Indian officials.
Gupta, currently jailed in Prague, appealed to the Indian Supreme Court last week to help him get a fair trial. However, the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Justice said Wednesday that Indian courts have no jurisdiction in Gupta’s case.
The indictment also comes amid a diplomatic spat between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of being involved in the murder of another Sikh separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in British Columbia in June.
Both Pannuna and Nijjar have been designated terrorists by India.
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‘Deeply concerned about extremist groups overseas’
In the interview to Financial Times, Modi expressed concern over the activities of Sikh extremist groups based overseas.
“These elements, under the guise of freedom of expression, have engaged in intimidation and incited violence,” he told the daily.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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