The DOJ charged a former Indian intelligence official in a foiled assassination plot
NPR Online NewsOct 15
DOJ Charges Ex-Indian Spy in Foiled Assassination Plot
Above: A member of United Hindu Front organisation holds a banner depicting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun during a rally along a street in New Delhi on Sept. 24, 2023. Image copyright: ARUN SANKAR/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
The US Justice Department (DOJ) has filed charges against Vikash Yadav, a former Indian intelligence officer, for allegedly plotting to assassinate American citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York City.
In an indictment unsealed Thursday, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York said that it found a direct link between the Indian government and the alleged murder-for-hire plot to kill Pannun on US soil.
The Spin
Narrative A
India must take decisive action following Thursday's identification of Vikash Yadav as the alleged mastermind behind a foiled plot to assassinate a US-based Sikh activist. This revelation, coupled with Canada's parallel allegations about the killing of another Sikh leader, raises troubling questions about transnational repression emanating from the highest levels of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. India's credibility now hinges on conducting a genuine investigation into these serious allegations.
Narrative B
While Thursday's indictment raises serious concerns, America's strategic partnership with India remains vital. The broader context of separatist extremism and its violent history, including terrorist attacks and temple assaults, underscores the complex security challenges India faces. With mounting global crises and China's growing influence, the US can't afford to damage relations with its key democratic ally. India's cooperation in investigating the Pannun case suggests a commitment to accountability that deserves recognition.