NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — Two high-ranking officers of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) have left North America amid alleged links to an assassination plot targeting a Sikh separatist in New York. The move precedes criminal charges against an Indian citizen allegedly involved in the conspiracy, heightening tensions with the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The expelled officers, stationed in San Francisco and London, faced removal as part of a signal expressing displeasure over perceived violations of operational norms by RAW in these countries. The expulsion leaves RAW unrepresented in North America for the first time since its establishment in 1968.
US prosecutors claim an Indian government official collaborated with a citizen to orchestrate the murder of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York. While the indictment does not name the intelligence agency, sources suggest RAW’s involvement, prompting actions to distance cooperation with Indian intelligence.
The expulsion of the RAW officer in San Francisco aims to underline the US stance against offensive operations by Indian intelligence in the West. The move follows Canada’s expulsion of RAW’s Ottawa station chief in connection with the June killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The alleged assassination plot, involving an ethnic-Punjabi drug dealer offered $150,000 to arrange the murder, raises questions about RAW’s international activities. India denies involvement, citing “unfortunate coincidences” and emphasizing administrative issues as reasons behind the officer removals.
This development adds to existing global scrutiny of RAW’s covert operations. Pakistan has raised concerns over India’s expanding extraterritorial activities, while Germany previously ordered the withdrawal of a RAW officer amid accusations of espionage.