Criminals-terrorists' nexus inputs from US taken seriously: India

India on Wednesday said it was taking the inputs provided by the United States on the nexus between organised criminals, gun runners and terrorists seriously. New Delhi is also examining the role of Pakistan's ISI as the agency has been often accused of running a network of terrorists and gun runners inimical to India's interests.

This comes after a Financial Times report, while quoting multiple sources aware of the matter, reported that the US thwarted a plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who holds dual citizenship - American and Canadian. The report claimed that Washington raised this issue with the Indian government and warned that it holds apprehensions over India's involvement in the alleged conspiracy.

In response to media queries on reports of discussions between India and the US on security matters, official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "During the course of recent discussions on India-US security cooperation, the US side shared some inputs pertaining to nexus between organised criminals, gun runners, terrorists and others. The inputs are a cause of concern for both countries and they decided to take necessary follow up action."


On its part, India takes such inputs seriously since it impinges on our own national security interests as well, Bagchi noted.

"Issues in the context of US inputs are already being examined by relevant departments," he said.

Although the exact date was not revealed, the FT report claimed that Washington shared the intel with its allies after the Vancouver killing of another India-designated Khalistani terrorist and Canadian Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18, when he was fatally shot outside a gurudwara.

As far as flagging the Pannun plot to the Indian government is concerned, the report while quoting an anonymous source said the warning to New Delhi was issued following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington in June.

However, sources speaking on the condition of anonymity indicated that selective media leaks to ratchet up pressure on India may not work and the US government must share credible inputs, without which mischief mongers in the US and Canada will get encouragement.