Gupta’s indictment may significantly damage ties: 5 Indian-American lawmakers after briefing

On November 29, Gupta was charged by federal prosecutors in the US in connection with his alleged participation in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun.

Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, US Congress, Biden administration, significant damage in India-US relations, Indian government, Indian express news, current affairs

Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30, at the request of the US in connection with his alleged participation in the plot to kill Pannun. (Express File Photo)

Five Indian-American members of the US Congress, who were briefed by officials of the Biden administration on Friday (local time), said that the indictment of Nikhil Gupta — an Indian accused of plotting an assassination attempt on Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil — was “concerning” and could lead to “significant damage” in India-US relations, if not addressed appropriately.

The five Congress members — Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Shri Thanedar — have released a joint statement on the issue after receiving a classified briefing from the Biden administration on the indictment of Gupta. “We believe the US-India partnership has made a meaningful impact on the lives of both of our people, but we are concerned that the actions outlined in the indictment could, if not appropriately addressed, cause significant damage to this very consequential partnership,” stated the Congressmen.

On November 29, Gupta was charged by federal prosecutors in the US in connection with his alleged participation in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun.

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“As the members of Congress, the safety and well-being of our constituents is our most important priority. The allegations made in the indictment are deeply concerning,” said the statement. “We welcome the Government of India’s announcement of a committee of enquiry to investigate the murder plot, and it is critical that India fully investigate, hold those responsible, including Indian government officials, accountable, and provide assurances that this will not happen again.”

According to the lawmakers, they appreciated the administration providing a classified briefing on the Department of Justice’s indictment of 52-year-old Gupta, who was charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire with a maximum sentence of a 10-year jail term.

The US authorities had alleged that Gupta agreed to pay an assassin USD 100,000 to kill the Sikh separatist leader living in New York City. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30, at the request of the US in connection with his alleged participation in the plot to kill Pannun. India has already constituted a high-level probe team to probe the matter.

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