Prime Minister Narendra Modi has, for the first time, commented on the allegations of an Indian official and an Indian national being involved in an alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on US soil.
PM Modi has said that if an Indian citizen has done anything good or bad, the government is “ready to look into it”.
Also Read: US thwarted plot to assassinate Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil: Report
During the interview, PM Modi also said the relations between India and the US would not be derailed by “few incidents”.
The US had recently accused India of an assassination plot against its citizen and the general counsel for the separatist group Sikhs for Justice, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. India has labelled Pannun a Khalistani terrorist.
On November 29, Nikhil Gupta, a 52-year-old Indian national, was charged by federal prosecutors in the US in connection with his alleged participation in a foiled plot to kill Pannun. According to US authorities, Gupta colluded with an Indian government agency employee in the alleged plot. He was arrested in the Czech Republic at the request of the US in connection with his alleged participation in the plot to kill Pannun.
Also Read: High-level panel to look into report on foiled plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in US: MEA
During the interview, PM Modi highlighted his deep concern about the activities of extremist groups overseas, saying they were engaged in intimidation and incited violence “under the guise of freedom of expression”.
He underlined that security and counter-terrorism cooperation has been a key component of the ties between India and the US.
“I don’t think it is appropriate to link a few incidents with diplomatic relations between the two countries,” he was quoted by The Financial Times as saying.
Also Read: ‘Will attack Parliament on or before Dec 13’: Pannun vows response on plot to kill him
“There is strong bipartisan support for the strengthening of this relationship, which is a clear indicator of a mature and stable partnership,” the Prime Minister said.
Last month, The Financial Times, citing unnamed officials, reported that the US “thwarted a conspiracy to assassinate” Pannun on American soil. The newspaper also reported that the US government had “issued a warning” to India over concerns that New Delhi was “involved in the plot” to eliminate Pannun.
(With inputs from PTI)