The MEA has called the US indictment linking an Indian government official to the failed plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun a "matter of concern'.
Adding that any such plot was against government policy, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said a high-level inquiry committee has been constituted to look into the matter. "The nexus between organised crime, trafficking, gunrunning and extremists at an international level is a serious issue for the law enforcement agencies and organisations to consider and it is for that reason that a high-level inquiry committee has been constituted and we will be guided by its results," Bagchi told reporters on Thursday.
The US indictment, which was unsealed on Wednesday, charged Nikhil Gupta, 52, with murder-for-hire charges and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire. The indictment further added that Gupta worked with an Indian government employee, whose responsibilities included security and intelligence.
The Indian official is described in the related indictment as a "Senior Field Officer" with responsibilities in "Security Management" and "Intelligence" employed by the Indian government who "directed the plot from India."
Bagchi added that the US had shared inputs during discussions on bilateral security cooperation. "We take such inputs very seriously and a high-level inquiry committee has been constituted to look into all the relevant aspects of the matter. Necessary follow-up action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry committee," he added.
However, the MEA spokesperson hit out at Canada, stating the country has consistently given space to anti-India extremists, which is the heart of the issue. "Our diplomatic representatives in Canada have borne the brunt of this. So, we expect the Government of Canada to live up to its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. We have also seen interference by Canadian diplomats in our internal affairs and that is unacceptable," he said.
Just after the indictment, the foreign ministry said New Delhi would formally investigate the concerns aired by the United States.
