Amid Escalating Nijjar Row With Canada, Indian Diplomats Visit US To Probe Alleged Assassination Plot Against Pannun

While diplomatic tensions between Canada and India have escalated over Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing row, Indian diplomats are visiting the United States (US) over the alleged killing plot of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Pannun is the founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), an extremist Khalistani outfit which is banned in India. It was alleged that an Indian national Nikhil Gupta was involved in planning his assassination.

After receiving diplomatic communication in this regard, India formed a high-level panel to investigate the alleged involvement in the case. An inquiry committee of this panel is visiting the US today (15 October).

"The Enquiry Committee will be traveling to Washington DC, as part of their ongoing investigations to discuss the case, including information they have obtained, and to receive an update from US authorities," the statement said.

Gupta, 53, who also goes by the name Nick, was extradited to the United States from the Czech Republic on 14 June, following his arrest on 30 June 2023, at the request of the US government.

Prosecutors claimed that Gupta collaborated with an Indian government employee and had arranged to pay an assassin $100,000 to murder Pannun, a designated terrorist in India, in New York City.

India took these inputs "seriously" and established the committee to investigate the activities of certain organised criminals including Gupta. The issue was also raised by US President Joe Biden during his India visit last year.

The US State Department had stated that India has notified the US that it is actively investigating additional connections related to the former government employee and will decide on necessary follow-up actions.