A US court’s summons to the Indian government over Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s civil suit, alleging a plot to murder him, was “completely unwarranted”, the Ministry of External Affairs said today (sept 19).
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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) labeled the summons issued by a US court to the Indian government over a civil lawsuit filed by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun as “completely unwarranted.”
The summons, issued by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, accuses the Indian government, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, former R&AW chief Samant Goel, R&AW agent Vikram Yadav, and Indian businessman Nikhil Gupta of allegedly plotting to murder Pannun. The court has requested a reply from the accused within 21 days.
Addressing the media, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated,
“When these issues were first brought to our attention, we took action. There’s a high-level committee engaged (in this matter).”
He reiterated-
“The case is completely unwarranted and does not alter India’s stance.”
Jaiswal pointed out that Pannun, the leader of the banned radical group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), is “well-known” for his background, and emphasized that “Pannun’s antecedent is well-known” and that he belongs to an “unlawful organisation.”
The Indian government had designated him a terrorist in 2020 due to his involvement in separatist activities and incendiary speeches.
BACKGROUND
A US District Court in the Southern District of New York has issued a summons to the Indian government after Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent Khalistani terrorist, filed a civil lawsuit alleging a plot to assassinate him.
The lawsuit names key Indian officials, including 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 summons requires New Delhi and the named individuals to respond within 21 days.
At present, the Indian government has not officially responded to the summons. Pannun, who heads the radical organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and holds dual US-Canadian citizenship, shared the summons on his X (formerly Twitter) account, but the post has since been withheld.
In November, Financial Times reported that US authorities had thwarted an assassination plot targeting Pannun. Officials in the Biden administration later confirmed the existence of this plot.
In its first response to the lawsuit, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed concern over the allegations. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi addressed the issue, stating,
“As regards the case against an individual that has been filed in a US court, allegedly linking him to an Indian official, this is a matter of concern. We have said that this is also contrary to government policy.”
The Indian government is reportedly conducting a high-level investigation into the matter.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar, in May 2023, confirmed that India is looking into the case but stressed that the allegations would not derail the positive momentum of India-US relations.
“The United States brought to our attention certain information in good faith because we also believe some of it has implications for our own system,”
-Jaishankar said in an interview with media.
He further emphasized,
“We are investigating it. But I do not think the fundamental course of the upward trajectory of India-US is impacted by this at all.”
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti echoed Jaishankar’s sentiments, telling media that this issue would not affect the growing ties between India and the US.
Pannun, who was designated a terrorist by the Indian government in 2020, is notorious for making inflammatory speeches and threats against Indian leaders and institutions.
Despite the ongoing legal developments, the Indian government remains committed to its diplomatic relationship with the US, which continues to grow stronger.
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