US-India Alleged Plot: Washington Post Names RAW Officer

Following The Washington Post’s report alleging a plot to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the US State Department’s principal deputy spokesperson, Vedant Patel, stated that the US was collaborating with India in the investigation. The report named Vikram Yadav, a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer, linking him to the alleged plot on American soil last year.

Yadav purportedly engaged a “hit team” to target Pannun, transmitting his contact information, including his New York address, to the would-be assassins. These revelations come amidst prior US claims of India’s involvement in a foiled assassination attempt on Pannun in November 2022.

In response to the report, India sharply criticized it as “unwarranted” and “unsubstantiated,” highlighting an ongoing investigation by a High-Level Committee to address security concerns raised by the US. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that speculative comments were unhelpful amidst the investigation.

This development underscores the diplomatic sensitivity surrounding the allegations and the complexities in US-India relations, with both countries navigating the fallout and seeking accountability amidst ongoing inquiries.