Allegations an Indian national conspired to murder an American-Canadian citizen – Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun – will be examined, but “a few incidents” cannot derail ties between India and the United States, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday, in his first public remarks since US federal prosecutors last month announced murder-for-hire charges against Nikhil Gupta.
“If someone gives us any information, we will definitely look into it,” the Prime Minister told the Financial Times, “If a citizen of ours has done anything, good or bad, we are ready to look into it. Our commitment is to the rule of law.”
“There is, however, also strong bipartisan support for the strengthening of the India-US relationship, which is a clear indicator of a mature and stable partnership,” the Prime Minister told the British daily, which was the first to break news of Mr Gupta being charged, based on information from its sources.
“I don’t think it is appropriate to link a few incidents with diplomatic relations between the two countries.”
US authorities said Nikhil Gupta, 52, and an Indian government staffer- code-named CC-1 – exchanged telephonic and electronic communications starting May, in which the latter asked the former to plan the murder.
