Allegations Against Indian Official in Assassination Plot Highlight Growing Tensions
Washington: Federal prosecutors have indicted an Indian official, Vikas Yadav, in connection with a plot to assassinate a separatist Sikh American national last summer, coinciding with the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The indictment, filed in a New York court, accuses Yadav, 39, who previously worked for India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), of conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering.
Yadav is currently at large, while his co-conspirator, Nikhil Gupta, was arrested in Czechoslovakia and is awaiting trial in the U.S. Prosecutors allege that the conspiracy aimed to target a U.S. citizen for exercising First Amendment rights. U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized that such attempts to endanger Americans will not be tolerated.
The Indian government has categorically denied any involvement in the alleged plot and has initiated an inquiry into the matter. Following U.S. allegations, an Indian inquiry committee visited Washington to discuss ongoing investigations, with U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller confirming the productive exchange of information between the two countries.
The unsealed indictment reveals intricate details of the assassination plot, including a payment of $15,000 made in advance to a hired killer, who was an FBI informant. Prosecutors noted that Yadav had instructed the conspirators to delay the assassination until after the state visit, indicating a calculated approach to avoid political fallout.
The indictment also draws connections between this plot and the recent murder of another Sikh separatist leader in Canada, reflecting heightened concerns over political violence against dissidents. The targeted individual is known for advocating the secession of Punjab, a region in India with a significant Sikh population, and has faced threats from the Indian government.
This development underscores the complexities of geopolitical tensions involving diaspora communities and highlights the U.S. commitment to protecting citizens’ rights and safety.
