A group of powerful Democratic senators called on the Biden administration to issue a "strong diplomatic" response to allegations involving the Indian government in a thwarted assassination plot against a Sikh separatist on American soil.
The two-page letter, addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, was signed by Sens. Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden, Tim Kaine, Bernie Sanders, and Chris Van Hollen.
"We urge a strong diplomatic response to ensure that all of those who were involved are held accountable, and request a briefing on the status of the administration's engagement with the Indian government on this matter," the senators wrote.
This comes after an Indian citizen, Nikhil Gupta, pleaded not guilty in a federal court over allegations of his involvement in a murder-for-hire scheme that targeted Sikh extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is of dual American and Canadian citizenship.
Gupta was taken before a Federal Court in New York on Monday and pleaded not guilty, his attorney, Jeffrey Chabrowe, revealed.
Investigations by US federal prosecutors claim that Gupta was directly briefed by a senior Indian government official.
Delhi has denied any involvement and ordered a high-level probe into the matter.
The Senators said India couldn't aspire to leadership on the world stage unless it respected human rights both at home and abroad.
"We call for a strong diplomatic response to ensure that each and every one of those responsible is brought to book, especially remaining anxious for a briefing on the status of the administration's engagement with the government of India in this regard," the letter said.
"The United States must be firm and resolute in opposing transnational repression, no matter the perpetrator," it added.
The senators emphasized this important connection that comprises relations with India, which is based on security cooperation, trade, and cultural integration.
"As the world's two largest democracies, this partnership must not be based on shared strategic interests alone. It must be one that is premised upon shared democratic values, the rule of law, respect for sovereignty, and individual rights and freedoms—essential in any democracy," they added.
According to an April 2024 report, The Washington Post then claimed Vikram Yadav, an officer in India's Research and Analysis Wing, or R&AW, masterminded the plot. As a result, then-R&AW Chief Samant Goel was allegedly involved in sanctioning the operation.
The Ministry of External Affairs termed it "unwarranted and unsubstantiated."
Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on March 20 that the Biden Administration had raised the issue "at the highest levels with India" and outlined the need for an investigation that is swift and transparent to ensure accountability.
The senators asked the Department of State to pressure the Indian government to "hold those responsible criminally liable" and to implement steps to prevent transnational repression.
India has publicly announced a high-level inquiry into evidence presented by the US on the alleged plot against Pannun.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held a meeting with his counterpart in India Ajit K Doval on his official visit to New Delhi on June 17-18. It's not known whether the alleged assassination attempt on Pannun, who — as mentioned — is a declared terrorist by India, reached their discussion table.
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