Page 6 - Khalistan Issue

US charges Nikhil Gupta in a plot to kill Khalistan leader Pannun

Who is Nikhil Gupta, arrested for planning the assassination of Khalistani leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.Watch the video to know about the man behind the plot

US charges Indian national in plot to kill Sikh separatist in New York

An Indian national was on Wednesday charged here by federal prosecutors in connection with his participation in a foiled plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on American soil. Nikhil Gupta, 52, has been charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Matthew G. Olsen said. US authorities said Gupta agreed to pay an assassin USD 100,000 to kill the Sikh separatist leader living in New York City. "On or about June 9, 2023, CC-1 and GUPTA arranged for an associate to deliver USD 15,000 in cash to the UC in Manhattan, New York, as an advance payment for the murder," according to the charges. The indictment has not named the US citizen but The Financial Times, citing unnamed sources, last week reported that US authorities thwarted a plot to assassinate banned Sikhs for Justice's Gurpatwant Singh Pannun,

US sent officials to India to 'press for probe into plot to kill Pannun'

The US sent its two top intelligence officials to India to press for an investigation into an alleged plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader on American soil earlier this year and hold to account those responsible, an influential American media outlet reported on Wednesday, citing senior administration officials. According to The Washington Post, federal prosecutors are expected to file a superseding indictment against an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, in a New York court on Wednesday regarding murder-for-hire plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a separatist Khalistani leader who is both a US and Canadian citizen. The report came on a day when India said that it has constituted a high-level enquiry committee to probe allegations relating to a conspiracy to kill the Sikh extremist on American soil. The United States has discovered a plot to assassinate a separatist Sikh leader on the US soil, the Post reported. It added that the issue has been raised by top leadership ...

Five operatives of Canada-based terrorist Arsh Dalla arrested: Delhi Police

The arrested operatives or sharpshooters of the Canada-based terrorist Dalla, who himself is an operative of the outlawed Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF)

Indian envoy Sandhu heckled by pro-Khalistani elements in New York Gurdwara

The Indian envoy could be seen leaving the premises in his vehicle, while a lone protestor raised the Khalistani flag outside the Gurdwara

US stopped plot to kill Khalistan leader Pannun, warned India

The United States “thwarted a conspiracy to assassinate” Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil and “issued a warning to India’s government over concerns

Who is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the target of 'assassination bid' in the US

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an American and Canadian citizen, is the founder of an organisation called Sikhs for Justice. The organisation advocates for Khalistan, an independent state for Sikhs

Ahead of G20 virtual meet, India resumes e-visa service for Canadians

India had suspended visa services in September this year following the allegations against India being involved in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar

India calls on Canada to respect Vienna convention on diplomatic relations

India's fresh call to Ottawa came days after certain pro-Khalistani elements in Vancouver attempted to disturb a camp organised by the Indian consulate in that city

India-Canada relations going through difficult phase, says EAM Jaishankar

India invoked the provision of parity in Canada's diplomatic presence in the country in view of concerns over interference in New Delhi's affairs by Canadian personnel, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday. The external affairs minister also said that India is likely to resume issuance of visas to Canadians if it sees progress in the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada. The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations last month of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. Days after Trudeau's allegations, India announced temporarily suspending issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country. "If we see progress in safety of our diplomats in Canada, we would like to resume issuance of visas there," Jaishankar said at an event while replying to a question on ...

Canadian PM Trudeau says India's actions 'contrary to international law'

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday that India's decision to revoke the diplomatic immunity of 41 Canadian diplomats is a violation of the Vienna Convention and it should worry all countries in the world, hours after New Delhi rejected Ottawa's attempt to portray the implementation of parity as a violation of international norms. Speaking at a press conference in Brampton, Ontario, he said the Indian government was making it "unbelievably difficult" for life as usual to continue for millions of people in India and in Canada following the decision. "And, they're doing it by contravening a very basic principle of diplomacy," he said. Trudeau claimed that the actions that India took were contrary to international law. "The government of India decided to unilaterally revoke the diplomatic immunity of 40 Canadian diplomats in India. This is a violation of the Vienna Convention. governing diplomacy. This is them choosing to contravene a very fundamental principle of ...

US embassy trashes reports on Garcetti alerting team about India-Canada row

The US embassy on Thursday trashed reports that American Ambassador Eric Garcetti alerted his team about possible impact of New Delhi's diplomatic spat with Ottawa on India-US relations. American media outlet The Politico reported that Garcetti also has said the US may need to reduce its contacts with Indian officials for an undefined period of time. "The US embassy dismisses these reports. Ambassador Garcetti is working hard every day to deepen the partnership between the people and governments of the United States and India," a US embassy spokesperson said, when asked about the report. "As his personal engagement and public schedule demonstrates, Ambassador Garcetti and the US Mission to India are working every day to advance the important, strategic, and consequential partnership we have with India," the spokesperson said. The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indi

Canada's allegations on India serious, need to be fully investigated: US

The Canadian allegations regarding India's involvement in the killing of a pro-Khalistan separatist are "serious" and need to be investigated fully, the White House has said. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was killed in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. Tensions flared between India and Canada last month following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar. India has angrily rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated". The claims made by Canada were discussed when visiting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met here last week, John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House told reporters at a news conference here. The issue was discussed. We'll certainly leave it to those two countries to talk

UK high commissioner condemns heckling of Indian envoy at Glasgow gurdwara

Alex Ellis, the UK's High Commissioner to India, on Wednesday said the incident in Glasgow last week where his Indian counterpart was blocked from entering a gurdwara by pro-Khalistan extremists was something that "absolutely should not have happened." Arrests were made after protesters gathered outside the High Commission of India in London on Monday, waving anti-India placards and chanting slogans, and similar action had been taken in March too, he said. "There are other ways in which the British authorities can act where they see extremism of any form. For example closing down TV stations, charities and schools, none of which are what they say they are," the UK envoy said at the India Today Conclave here. Security "around people and the buildings of India" too was enhanced, he added. "Something happened (in Glasgow) which absolutely should not have happened," Ellis further said. As per a statement issued by the High Commission of India in London, three people from outside ...

Multi layer security at stadium, 3,500 cops on duty for World Cup opening

Given a threat issued by Khalistani separatists, about 3,500 police personnel will be deployed at Narendra Modi stadium in Motera area and other parts of Ahmedabad during the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup on October 5. Joint Commissioner of Police, sector 1, Chirag Koradia on Wednesday said a multi-layered security is being put in place to thwart any attack. The first match will be played between England and New Zealand. "As many as 16 IPS officers will be on the field to supervise our security set-up on Thursday during the cricket match. The same security arrangement, consisting of different layers, will be also implemented in subsequent matches to be played at the Narendra Modi stadium as part of the World Cup," Koradia told reporters. He said about 3,500 police personnel, including traffic personnel, will be on duty inside and outside the stadium, at other locations, and on the roads to be taken by the players to reach the stadium from their hotel. "There will be a

Canada wants 'private talks' with India to resolve diplomatic dispute

"We take diplomats' safety very seriously and we will continue to engage privately because we think diplomatic conversations are best when they remain private," Canadian Foreign Minister said

Canadian allegations against India serious, need to be investigated: US

The Canadian allegations regarding India's involvement in the killing of a pro-Khalistan leader are serious and need to be investigated fully, the White House has said. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was killed in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. The claims made by Canada were discussed when visiting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met here last week, John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House told reporters at a news conference here. The issue was discussed. We'll certainly leave it to those two countries to talk about their bilateral relationship, Kirby said in response to a question. We've been clear, these allegations are serious, they need to be fully investigated and of course, as we've said before, we urge India to participate actively in that investigation, Kirby .

Canada not looking to escalate situation, says Trudeau amid diplomatic row

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said Canada was not looking to "escalate" the situation with India amid the diplomatic row between the two countries over the killing of a Khalistani separatist and asserted that his government will continue to have "constructive relations" with New Delhi. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Trudeau also said that it's important for Canada to have diplomats on the ground in India, amid a report by London-based Financial Times that New Delhi wants as many as 41 of 62 remaining Canadian diplomats out of the country, the Toronto Sun newspaper reported. "Obviously, we're going through an extremely challenging time with India right now," Trudeau was quoted as saying by the Canadian newspaper. He, however, did not confirm the FT report that India has asked Canada to withdraw 41 of 62 diplomats from the country. Asked if his government would retaliate by asking India to remove diplomats based in Canada, Trudeau insisted his government would try to kee

Slain gangster associated with Khalistan to run syndicate from Canada

NIA had mentioned the fact in one of its charge sheets filed in a special court in Delhi in March this year naming Sukhdool and 21 others

Urged India to cooperate with Canada in its probe into Nijjar's death: US

The Biden Administration has engaged with the Indian government on a number of occasions urging them to cooperate with Canada in its investigations into the death of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a US State Department official has said. The issue was raised by Secretary of State Tony Blinken during his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar here last week. As he made clear then, I'll reiterate now, we remain in close coordination with our Canadian colleagues on this question, State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference. We have engaged with the Indian government on a number of occasions to urge them to cooperate with Canada's investigation. The secretary had an opportunity to do that in his meeting with the foreign minister on Friday, he said. When asked if India has agreed to cooperate with Canada, Miller said this is for New Delhi to respond to. I will let the Indian government speak for themselves and I wil