India must address US concerns on plot against Pannun, say 5 Indian-American legislators

India must address US concerns on plot against Pannun, say 5 Indian-American legislators
New York: Indian-American members of the US Congress have asked the Government of India provide assurances that the alleged plot to murder Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu “will not happen again”.

They welcomed India’s announcement of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the alleged murder plot and said it is “critical that India fully investigate, hold those responsible, including Indian government officials, accountable.”

The joint statement fromRepresentatives Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Shri Thanedar released came after a classified briefing by the Biden Administration on the indictment of Nikhil Gupta in connection with a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen in New York City.

“We appreciate the Administration providing us a classified briefing on the Department of Justice’s indictment of Nikhil Gupta, which alleges that an Indian government official engaged in a murder-for-hire plot of an American citizen.

“As Members of Congress, the safety and well-being of our constituents is our most important priority. The allegations made in the indictment are deeply concerning,” they said.

The five American legislators of Indian origin said they believe the US–India partnership has made “meaningful impact on the lives of both of our people. But they were concerned that “the actions outlined in the indictment could, if not appropriately addressed, cause significant damage to this very consequential partnership.”