TL/DR –
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has downplayed allegations of Indian involvement in a thwarted plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist in the United States, stating it is not appropriate to link such incidents with diplomatic relations. However, there are signs of strained ties between the U.S. and India such as U.S. President Joe Biden turning down an invitation to attend India’s Republic Day celebrations. While India responded harshly to similar allegations from Canada, it has been more restrained in response to the U.S., promising to investigate the accusations internally.
Indian Prime Minister Addresses US Allegations in Rare Interview
New Delhi, India — Usually media-shy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently spoke to the Financial Times about the US government’s claims of an Indian plot to kill a Sikh separatist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in America. Alleged by India as a “terrorist,” Pannun advocates for a separate Sikh homeland, Khalistan.
Modi dismissed the speculation that these accusations have strained India-US bilateral ties, committing to conduct an internal investigation, replicating the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ stance. However, recent events indicate a tension between the democracies, possibly influencing upcoming elections.
FBI Director Christopher Wray recently visited New Delhi, followed by the early publication of an annual report by the US Congress-appointed watchdog on religious freedom, urging the Biden administration to declare India a “country of particular concern” due to attacks on religious minorities.
Adding to the signs of tension, US President Joe Biden declined Modi’s invitation to India’s Republic Day celebrations, consequently postponing a Quad grouping meeting featuring Australia and Japan.
Tensions Between India and US
Sushant Singh, senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, views these events as signs of tension. He stated, “June was the high peak of India-US ties and they have cooled down since.”
However, Christopher Clary, assistant professor at the University of Albany, believes the Pannun issue has not seriously damaged India-US ties. “This is like a commercial airliner that encounters turbulence…” he said. “We will keep flying even if we encounter bumpy air sometimes.”
The narrative that India did no wrong in allegedly attempting to assassinate Pannun is gaining ground in India. Some argue that if the US could kill Osama bin Laden extraterritorially, India should have the same right.
New Delhi responded differently to Canada’s similar allegations about the assassination of another Sikh separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India retorted strongly by accusing Canada of sheltering “terrorists”, halting trade talks, and freezing visas, unlike its more measured response to the US.
India-US Relations: Future Uncertainties
The alleged plot to kill Pannun has stirred concerns that Indian officials’ communication devices are under scrutiny. Sushant Singh stated, “If the US officials were monitoring secure Indian government communications in Delhi, they definitely know much more than they have revealed so far.”
Recent moves such as the withdrawal of RAW operatives from North America, slowing down of defence deals for Predator drones and jet engine technology transfer suggest a cautious approach in India-US relations.
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