ISLAMABAD: Indian diplomatic relations with the developed world remained under spotlight and hot waters in the last couple of months after facing challenging and unfriendly situation from a number of countries in the west.
The situation became worrisome for India, after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September alleged that Indian government agents were involved in killing of the Sikh Community leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in the suburbs of Vancouver Canada. The incident took the Indian diplomacy highly vulnerable.
The dilemma for the Indian government and its intelligence institutions further manifold when US government expressed deep concerns over a recent plot related to assassination of a pro-Sikh activist in New York last month.
This time the situation remains even worst as there are reports of the involvement of the Indian RAW (Research Analysis Wing) in the incident, leading the Indian intelligent wing to cease its operation in North America for the first time in last 50 years.
Meanwhile, the US Justice Department said an Indian national was charged with plotting to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader on US soil. The Justice Department charged the Indian national in connection with his participation in a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen of Indian origin in New York City.
Blinken expresses serious concern
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed serious concern over the development saying, a number of US officials have raised this with the Indian government directly in past weeks. He further said that the government has announced to conduct investigation, adding that it is good and appropriate and we look forward to see the results.
The White House National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby has said: We take these allegations very seriously and we have been clear that those responsible for the crime must be held accountable.
Earlier, Canada pressed India to cooperate in the investigation of the murder of a Sikh separatist in British Columbia after the U.S. disclosed it had foiled an attempt to assassinate a Sikh separatist on its soil.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stated that Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of the potential link between agents of the government of India in the killing of the Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.
He added from month of August onwards authorities in Canada have been working closely with American counterparts and partners around the world regarding very serious allegations that agents of Indian government were involved in killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil.
He said the news coming from the United States further underscores that we have been talking from the very beginning. The PM said Indian government must take this issue very seriously and work with us to ensure that we are getting to the bottom.
FBI warns lives of three Sikh American citizens in danger
Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned that lives of at least three Sikh American citizens were in danger especially after the murder of a Sikh activist in Canada in June.
In September, a member of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus Eric Swalwell, in a post on X, formerly Twitter, said he was concerned by reports that India’s government is targeting Sikh activists abroad.
It is pertinent to mention that Canada is home to the world’s largest Sikh population outside India, and leaders of the Sikh community for decades have been claiming that the Indian government are seeking to target dissidents on Canadian soil.
