A report by the Washington Post has uncovered the involvement of a high-ranking officer from India's intelligence agency - the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) - in a sinister plot to assassinate Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.
According to the report, the officer, identified as Vikram Yadav directed a hit team to assassinate Pannun, a vocal critic of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yadav allegedly forwarded crucial details about Pannun, including his address in New York, to the hit team, indicating that the assassination was a "priority."
This revelation has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, raising serious questions about the extent of India's covert operations abroad and its implications for international relations.
The report sheds light on a broader campaign of aggression by RAW against the Indian diaspora, particularly targeting Sikh activists perceived as critical of the Modi government.
The alleged involvement of senior RAW officials, including Yadav, in orchestrating targeted killings has underscored concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and human rights.
India's growing assertiveness and western concerns
The alleged assassination plot has highlighted India's increasingly assertive posture on the global stage, raising alarm bells among Western security officials.
The revelation of RAW's alleged involvement in targeted killings has prompted a reassessment of India's role in international affairs, with implications for strategic partnerships and diplomatic relations.
The Biden administration's response to the assassination plot has drawn scrutiny, with questions raised about the balance between upholding democratic values and preserving strategic interests.
While the US has refrained from punitive measures against India, there are growing calls for accountability and transparency in addressing the alleged involvement of Indian officials in extrajudicial actions abroad.
