The External Affairs Ministry of India has expressed concern and confirmed a high-level probe into allegations of a plot to murder US-based Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, involving an Indian government official. Responding to media inquiries, ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that the case filed in a US court, linking an individual to an Indian official, goes against government policy and is a matter of serious concern.

The alleged plot involves Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who faces "murder for hire" charges for his role in the plan to assassinate Pannun, the leader of the Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic in June under a US-Czech extradition treaty. The US Department of Justice documents claim that an Indian government employee collaborated with Gupta and others in the conspiracy, but the official's identity remains undisclosed.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Bagchi emphasized the interconnected issues of organized crime, trafficking, gunrunning, and extremism at an international level. A high-level inquiry committee has been constituted to investigate the matter, and the ministry will act based on its findings.

Regarding Canada's repeated allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, Bagchi underscored that Canada has provided space to anti-India extremists, leading to interference by Canadian diplomats in India's internal affairs. He urged Canada to adhere to its obligations under the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

In response to recent developments, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated his concerns and called on India to take the issue seriously. India has refuted the allegations related to Nijjar's killing, dismissing them as "absurd" and "motivated." While expressing openness to launching an investigation if Canada provides evidence, India has stressed the need for responsible and evidence-based dialogue between the two nations.

As diplomatic tensions persist, the investigation into the alleged plot and ongoing dialogues between India and Canada will shape the future trajectory of bilateral relations.

The External Affairs Ministry of India has expressed concern and confirmed a high-level probe into allegations of a plot to murder US-based Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, involving an Indian government official. Responding to media inquiries, ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that the case filed in a US court, linking an individual to an Indian official, goes against government policy and is a matter of serious concern.

The alleged plot involves Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who faces "murder for hire" charges for his role in the plan to assassinate Pannun, the leader of the Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic in June under a US-Czech extradition treaty. The US Department of Justice documents claim that an Indian government employee collaborated with Gupta and others in the conspiracy, but the official's identity remains undisclosed.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Bagchi emphasized the interconnected issues of organized crime, trafficking, gunrunning, and extremism at an international level. A high-level inquiry committee has been constituted to investigate the matter, and the ministry will act based on its findings.

Regarding Canada's repeated allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, Bagchi underscored that Canada has provided space to anti-India extremists, leading to interference by Canadian diplomats in India's internal affairs. He urged Canada to adhere to its obligations under the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

In response to recent developments, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated his concerns and called on India to take the issue seriously. India has refuted the allegations related to Nijjar's killing, dismissing them as "absurd" and "motivated." While expressing openness to launching an investigation if Canada provides evidence, India has stressed the need for responsible and evidence-based dialogue between the two nations.

As diplomatic tensions persist, the investigation into the alleged plot and ongoing dialogues between India and Canada will shape the future trajectory of bilateral relations.