WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on the “alarming rise in transnational repression” following the US Department of Justice’s indictment of an Indian national over an alleged plot to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.
The issue, raised at the “highest levels” between US and Indian officials, involves accusations against Nikhil Gupta, who was indicted by the DOJ on “murder-for-hire” charges. The indictment claims that Gupta, working under the direction of an Indian government official, sought to hire hitmen to kill Pannun, a dual American-Canadian national designated as a terrorist by the Indian government.
The committee’s chair, Ben Cardin, expressed concern over the potential “permanent damage” to the US-India relationship and the need for accountability in this case. Cardin stated that the hearing would delve into the “scope of global transnational repression” and explore ways to counter this “pernicious threat.”
The announcement comes amidst a broader context of rising global concerns regarding governments engaging in activities beyond their borders to suppress dissent and harm individuals. Cardin cited the alleged plot against Pannun as part of a pattern where governments dispatch assassins and use criminal networks for transnational repression.
The US administration, through national security council spokesperson Adrienne Watson, confirmed engaging in direct conversations with the Indian government at the highest levels. Watson emphasized the seriousness of the situation and the need for India to conduct a thorough investigation, holding those responsible fully accountable.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the Biden administration’s commitment to addressing the charges seriously. India responded by forming a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the allegations. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi expressed concern over the accusations, stating that they are contrary to government policy, and emphasized the nexus between organized crime, trafficking, gun running, and extremists as a serious issue for law enforcement agencies.
