The United States State Department has confirmed that it is actively collaborating with India in its ongoing investigation into allegations that a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer was involved in a plot to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Paramjit Singh Pannun on American soil last year. These claims, attributed to unnamed sources, were initially reported by The Washington Post.
US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel emphasized that the United States expects the Government of India to take accountability based on the findings of its inquiry committee’s work. He further stated that the US is regularly collaborating with India and seeking additional updates on the matter.
When questioned about The Washington Post’s report, which identified the RAW officer as Vikram Yadav and implicated him in the alleged plot to assassinate Pannun, Patel responded that the US would continue to raise its concerns directly with the Indian Government at senior levels. However, he declined to provide further details, deferring to the Department of Justice.
India has vehemently rejected these allegations, asserting that the report contains baseless assertions on a grave issue. They have emphasized that a thorough investigation into the matter is already in progress. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the WaPo report, stating that there is an ongoing investigation by a high-level committee set up by the Government of India to examine the security concerns shared by the US government. He further criticized speculative and irresponsible comments on the issue as unhelpful.
In November 2023, US federal prosecutors charged Indian national Hardeep Singh Nijjar for his alleged involvement in a thwarted scheme to assassinate Pannun. Pannun, who is wanted in India on terrorism allegations, holds citizenship in both the US and Canada. The Union Home Ministry has classified him as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The revelation about the foiled assassination plot against Pannun emerged shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged potential Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia. These claims were strongly refuted by Indian authorities.
Addressing the issue in Parliament on December 7, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar disclosed that India had launched an inquiry committee to examine the information provided by the US regarding the Pannun case, citing national security concerns.
