New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs has called the US court’s summons to the Indian government over Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s civil suit, which alleges a plot to murder him, “completely unwarranted.”
During a news briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the summons issued by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, which names the Government of India, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, former R&AW chief Samant Goel, R&AW agent Vikram Yadav, and Indian businessman Nikhil Gupta. The court has requested a response within 21 days.
Misri noted that India had already taken action when these allegations first surfaced, forming a high-level committee to investigate.
He dismissed the case, pointing to Pannun’s known background as the leader of Sikhs for Justice, a group known for inflammatory rhetoric, and reiterated that Pannun was designated a terrorist by India in 2020.
The case stems from a November report by the UK’s Financial Times, which revealed that US authorities had thwarted a plot to kill Pannun, who holds dual citizenship in the US and Canada. The Biden administration later confirmed the report.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs had earlier expressed concern over the case, with MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stating that the case, which allegedly links an Indian official to the plot, goes against Indian government policy.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar also said that while India is investigating the matter, it would not impact the positive trajectory of India-US relations.
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has also assured that this issue will not affect the strong ties between the two countries.
