Image Source - Business Standard
Indian Official Charged in Murder Conspiracy
The US Department of Justice formally charged former Indian officer from the country's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Vikas Yadav with organizing the murder plot of US-based Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. It was a conspiracy organized by Yadav allegedly intercepted by the US authorities which aimed at using the services of an assassin hired through an intermediary, Nikhil Gupta. Yadav is alleged to have conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and money laundering.
Key Details of the Plot
This is the first time that the US has openly accused an Indian intelligence officer of attempting to kill someone in America. The incident has already thrown up questions about tensions between India and Canada: Pannun holds dual US-Canadian citizenship, while Sikh separatism is still a contentious aspect of India's diplomatic relations with Canada.
Important Facts About the Plot
It is further on record that Yadav was in league with associates in India and worldwide to murder Pannun, who is an ardent propagator of Khalistan, which will be a separate Sikh state. It is alleged that Yadav had roped in Nikhil Gupta who journeyed to Prague. There he was caught and brought before the US courts. He has subsequently pleaded not guilty. Yadav is still at large.
India Denies and Senses Fray
The Indian government has dismissed this allegation. But an investigation is underway. India has categorically rejected any role in the conspiracy. In reaction to the allegations, an Indian inquiry committee has visited the US to go through the evidence presented by the US administration. Both the countries have agreed to cooperate further with the probe, and the US has said that it has no problem so far with the Indian response.
Will This Strain US-India-Canada Relations?
Much ado has been created about the "formal charge" laid against a former Indian intelligence officer, especially in light of simmering tensions between India and Canada over Sikh separatism. Now that the US is formally involved in this turf battle, it raises questions about how this may affect diplomatic ties. Will this further strain the relations between India and Canada, or will both countries be able to talk their way down from this?
With inputs from agencies
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