New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed a planned visit by FBI Director Christopher Wray to India — which would be the first in over a decade — adding that New Delhi has in the past flagged to Washington D.C. “crimes” committed by Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in India.
At a press briefing Thursday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “As part of ongoing bilateral cooperation, a visit by the FBI director is in the works. Details of this visit have been worked out with the US side over the course of the last few months.”
He added: “As you are aware, we have robust security, cyber security, counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics cooperation with the US agencies. We are also engaged in capacity building programmes.”
Wray’s planned visit comes amid a US federal investigation into an alleged plot to assassinate Pannun. US prosecutors have alleged the involvement of an Indian government official in the suspected plot. India has set up an enquiry committee to investigate these claims.
Though the MEA spokesperson did not confirm whether the Pannun case will be part of the FBI director’s discussions with Indian officials, he mentioned that New Delhi has in the past flagged concerns about “crimes” committed by the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) founder.
Pannun is a designated terrorist in India and has made threats against the Parliament, Indian diplomats and warned Sikhs against travelling on an Air India flight last month.
“The individual [Pannun] you named is wanted by our agencies for violation of the law. There is a process under which we seek assistance…It depends on whether a crime is committed. In our case, I think requests have gone through; detailing the kind of crimes that he’s responsible for in India,” the MEA spokesperson told reporters.
He added: “We have of course flagged concerns to our partners about any threats made by extremists or terrorists against India, Indian diplomats or properties etc. We do take it up from time to time and there is an ongoing conversation and security cooperation. From some of it, we’ve seen results; on some of it, we haven’t.”
Update in Qatar case
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s brief interaction with the Qatar emir on the sidelines of the COP28 Summit in Dubai Saturday, the MEA informed that there has been an update in the case of the 8 Indian Navy veterans who have appealed against a death sentence in Doha.
“You would have seen Prime Minister [Modi] met the Qatari Emir in Dubai on the sidelines of COP28. He put out a tweet and my understanding is there was good conversation about the overall bilateral relationship as well as the well-being of the Indian community,” said spokesperson Bagchi.
Two hearings have been held since an appeal was filed against the death sentence — on 23 and 30 November respectively. The next hearing is expected to take place soon.
On 3 December, India’s Ambassador to Qatar, Vipul, got consular access to the 8 Navy veterans.
The MEA spokesperson did not confirm whether India has raised the issue bilaterally with Doha.
Also read: Long list of ‘threat videos’ released by Pannun — World Cup, G20 meetings, and now Parliament