The Financial time claims–US authorities have successfully foiled a plot to assassinate a terrorist within the United States, prompting a cautionary message to the Indian government amid suspicions of its involvement, as reported by individuals familiar with the situation. The intended victim, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, holds dual American and Canadian citizenship and serves as the general counsel for Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a US-based organization aligned with the movement advocating separatism in India and demanding an independent state known as “Khalistan.” The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs had banned SFJ on July 10, 2019 under the UAPA for its activities. Pannu was designated an ‘individual terrorist’ on July 1, 2020.

The issue was brought to the attention of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by US President Joe Biden during discussions at the G20 summit in New Delhi in September, according to the Financial Times.

On Wednesday, the National Security Council verified the Financial Times’ report on the conspiracy and confirmed that the United States had discussed the matter with India, including at the highest levels of leadership. FT report did not specify whether the protest to New Delhi influenced the plotters to abandon their plans or if the FBI intervened to thwart a scheme already in progress.

In the aftermath of the murder of Canadian separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver in June, the US shared information about the plot with some allies. In September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged “credible allegations” connecting New Delhi to Nijjar’s fatal shooting. According to FT source — the initial US protest regarding the Pannun plot was raised following a high-profile state visit by Prime Minister Modi to Washington in June.

In 2020, a statement by the Indian government had declared Nijjar as a terrorist, and after he was actively involved in “operationalising, networking, training and financing” KTF (Khalistan Tiger Force) members. He had also been accused of running terrorist training camps in British Columbia for supporters ready to carry out attacks in India, according to a BBC report.

FT claims US federal prosecutors have submitted a sealed indictment against at least one suspected participant in the plot in a New York district court. The US Department of Justice is currently deliberating whether to unseal the indictment and make the accusations public or to await the conclusion of Canada’s investigation into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Adding complexity to the situation, it is reported that one individual charged in the indictment has likely left the United States.

The National Security Council statement said: they do not comment on ongoing law enforcement matters or private diplomatic discussions but emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety and security of US citizens. Adrienne Watson, an NSC spokesperson, mentioned that the US understands India is investigating the matter further and expects more information to be shared in the coming days.

Washington shared details of the Pannun case with a broader group of allies after Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau made details of the Vancouver killing public, raising concerns among allies about a potential pattern of behavior. India has rejected Canada’s claims about New Delhi’s involvement in Nijjar’s murder as “absurd.”

India’s external affairs ministry acknowledged that during recent discussions on India-US security cooperation, the US shared information about connections between organized criminals, gun runners, terrorists, and others, expressing concern for both countries. The ministry stated that the issues were already being examined by relevant departments.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the target of the alleged plot, declined to confirm whether US authorities had warned him about the threat, deferring the issue to the US government. Pannun emphasized that the threat to an American citizen on American soil challenges the nation’s sovereignty and expressed confidence in the Biden administration’s ability to handle such challenges.

According to FT— White House noted that Indian officials expressed “surprise and concern” when the issue was raised, distancing themselves from the reported activity. Pannun drew ire from Indian officials when he released a video advising Sikhs against flying on Air India, a move he clarified as not constituting a violent threat against the airline.

While Washington has urged India to cooperate with the Canadian investigation, it has refrained from publicly criticizing New Delhi over the Vancouver case. The Biden administration regards India as a critical partner in countering China within the Quad security group, which also includes Japan and Australia. Internal debates within the Biden administration acknowledge that any public disclosure of the US plot and the protest to New Delhi could reignite questions about India’s reliability as a trusted partner.