Federal prosecutors on Wednesday charged an Indian national in a murder-for-hire scheme targeting a Sikh separatist and activist in New York who is a U.S. citizen and has been outspoken in calling for a Sikh-majority homeland.
The assassination plot was organized by an Indian government official and linked to the June killing of a Sikh separatist in Canada who was fatally shot by masked gunmen outside a Sikh temple, according to an indictment filed in federal court in New York.
Together, the charges announced in New York and the earlier slaying threaten to complicate relations among the United States, Canada and India and could hurt President Biden’s efforts to cultivate Indian leaders in a bid to counter the global influence of China and Russia.
Here are five takeaways from the foiled plot, as described by prosecutors.
The New York plot was focused on a prominent Sikh separatist.
The indictment identifies the person who was targeted to be killed in the conspiracy only as the “victim,” but American officials said he was Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the general counsel for the New York-based group Sikhs for Justice. Mr. Pannun is a vocal proponent of independence for Punjab, a northern Indian state that is home to a large number of Sikhs.
We are confirming your access to this article, this will take just a moment. However, if you are using Reader mode please log in, subscribe, or exit Reader mode since we are unable to verify access in that state.
Confirming article access.
If you are a subscriber, please log in.