Murder Plot Allegations Against India: US, Canada Issues Not Same, Says S Jaishankar

Bengaluru: Facing the heat over allegations of plots to kill pro-Khalistan sympathisers in the United States and Canada, India is in damage control mode.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday that the two issues aren’t the same.

Speaking at an event here, Jaishankar pointed out Americans “told us some specific things” and that India is always ready to look into specific issues raised by other countries.

“If any country, not just Canada, has a concern and gives us some input or some basis for that concern, we are always open to look at it. This is what countries do,” he said.

“The point was when Americans brought up some issues… and the two issues are not necessarily the same. When they brought up that issue, the Americans told us some specific things. What happens in international relations from time to time such challenges can arise. So we very sincerely have told the Canadians that, look it’s up to you, I mean your choice whether you would like us to pursue it, further look into it or not,” Jaishankar stated.

The US Department of Justice has charged a man called Nikhil Gupta with plotting to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Gupta allegedly hired a hitman to assassinate Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen, in New York.

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The US has asked India to assist in the probe in the unsuccessful alleged murder plot of Pannun.

India and US have had several discussions on the issue at multiple levels. Indian government has formed a panel to investigate the American charge.

Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic on the US’ request, PTI reported.

Canada, on the other hand, accused the possible involvement of Indian agents in the killing of another Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

Indo-Canadian diplomatic relations plummeted to an all-time low after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the allegation three months ago.