India to probe US concerns over foiled Sikh assassination plot

NEW DELHI

India said on Wednesday it has formed a high-level committee to probe the “inputs” shared by the US pertaining to “the nexus between organized criminals, gun runners, terrorists, and others.”

“We had also indicated that India takes such inputs seriously since they impinge on our national security interests as well, and relevant departments are already examining the issue,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said on Wednesday.

It said that the Indian government on Nov. 18 constituted a high-level inquiry committee to look into all the relevant aspects of the matter.

“Government of India will take necessary follow-up action based on the findings of the Enquiry Committee,” he said.

New Delhi's statement came after the ministry last week said that India is examining “inputs” shared by the US regarding “security matters.”

Earlier, reports had emerged that Washington thwarted a conspiracy to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader on US soil.

UK-based daily Financial Times said the US issued a warning to the Indian government over concerns that it was allegedly involved in the plot, with its target being Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual American-Canadian citizen who is the general counsel for Sikhs for Justice, a US-based group that is part of a movement pushing for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan, the report said.

Pannun has been designated a "terrorist" by the Indian government. He calls himself an activist.

The report came two months after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had said there were “credible allegations” that the Indian government was behind the shooting of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in front of a Sikh temple in Canada’s westernmost province of British Columbia.

Nijjar was a vocal supporter of independence for a proposed Khalistan state in the Punjab region of northwestern India. The issue triggered a severe diplomatic row between India and Canada.

The Indian government considered Nijjar a "terrorist." New Delhi rejected "unsubstantiated allegations" by Ottawa.