Was India plotting to kill a Indo-Canadian Advocate?

As per the Financial Times, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual national of the US and Canada, was targeted by India in a murder plot.

Pannun, recognised as a vocal proponent of an independent Sikh homeland, has been labelled a terrorist by India.

This revelation follows Canada’s recent assertion that India might be implicated in the assassination of another Sikh separatist.

According to the Financial Times report on November 22, 2023,  US authorities successfully foiled a plot to assassinate Pannun.

Consequently, the US has communicated its apprehensions to India and issued a warning regarding its potential involvement in the conspiracy.

In response, the White House revealed that Indian officials displayed surprise and concern when approached by the US regarding these allegations.

Spokesperson Adrienne Watson explained in a statement: 

“They stated that activity of this nature was not in their policy.

“We understand the Indian government is further investigating this issue and will have more to say about it in the coming days.”

Further to these allegations, it remains uncertain whether the protest lodged by the US against India led to the termination of the operation or if it was thwarted by US officials.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun serves as the general counsel for Sikhs for Justice, a movement seeking an independent homeland. 

Speaking to the BBC, Pannun said that the target of his life is “transnational terrorism which is a threat to the US sovereignty”.

He further stated:

“I will let the US government respond to this threat.”

In response to this, a spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, said:

“[The US] shared some inputs pertaining to the nexus between organised criminals, gun runners, terrorists and others.

“India takes such inputs seriously since it impinges on our own national security interests as well.”

Although, the statement did not mention Pannun.

In 2019, Indian authorities designated the Sikhs for Justice group as an “unlawful association” and the following year, Pannun was listed as an “individual terrorist”. 

Recently, Pannun drew the ire of Indian officials by releasing a video advising Sikhs to avoid flying on Air India, suggesting it could pose a “life-threatening” risk.

However, Pannun clarified that he was advocating for a boycott of the airline rather than making a threat.

After Justin Trudeau’s September statement probing “credible allegations” of Indian involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s death, US officials reportedly shared details of the alleged plot against Pannun with allies.

While India has consistently denied any role in the murder of Nijjar, Canadian authorities are still conducting investigations into the incident.