US authorities have reportedly thwarted an alleged Indian conspiracy to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the pro-Khalistan leader of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), on American soil. Pannun, an American and Canadian citizen, serves as the general counsel for SFJ, a US-based group advocating for an independent Sikh state known as “Khalistan.”
The Indian government is suspected of being behind the plot, which aimed to eliminate Pannun, leading the US to issue a warning to India. The US informed some allies about the plot following the murder of Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously suggested “credible allegations” linking New Delhi to Nijjar’s killing.
The US protest and warning to India reportedly occurred after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile state visit to Washington in June. In addition to the diplomatic warning, US federal prosecutors have filed a sealed indictment against at least one alleged perpetrator in a New York district court.
The US Justice Department is considering whether to unseal the indictment or wait until Canada completes its investigation into Nijjar’s murder. The Biden administration has faced internal debates on whether to publicly disclose the plot and the protest to India, considering the potential impact on the perception of India as a reliable partner.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the intended target, has not confirmed whether US authorities warned him about the plot but emphasized the challenge to America’s sovereignty if there is a threat to an American citizen on American soil. Pannun previously urged Sikhs not to fly on Air India, stating it would be “life–threatening,” without making a violent threat against the airline.
The Khalistan Referendum, organized under the supervision of the independent Punjab Referendum Commission, has seen voting in various cities globally, with results to be announced upon completion of all phases.
