On October 23, 2024, the United States emphasized the need for swift and meaningful accountability in the investigation into an alleged assassination plot targeting pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Pannun, chief of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group, holds both American and Canadian citizenship and is designated a terrorist by India.
During a media briefing, US State Department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel acknowledged “valuable engagement” with India’s inquiry committee and confirmed that information had been shared between the two governments. However, he stressed that the US would not be fully satisfied until there was significant progress and accountability from India’s investigation.
Last week, an indictment was unsealed in the US, charging Vikash Yadav, a former Indian government official, with orchestrating the plot to assassinate Pannun in New York City. The indictment, which alleges Yadav’s involvement from May 2023, has intensified pressure on India. The US has urged India to expedite its investigation, with the US reportedly pressing for quicker results and accountability.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the accused official is no longer employed by the Indian government. The case comes in the wake of Canada’s accusations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023, further complicating diplomatic tensions.
