Complicit

• The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted Vikash Yadav, an Indian intelligence officer, in the alleged plot to kill American-Khalistani activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
• The indictment, released publicly, includes an arrest warrant and his listing on the FBI’s “most wanted” list.
• The move comes after a high-level Indian security delegation visited the U.S., and the U.S. State Department expressed satisfaction with India’s cooperation.
• The second indictment repeats linkages to the Canadian case of the 2023 killing of Canadian-Khalistani activist Hardeep Nijjar.
• The indictment coincides with the Canadian expulsion of Indian diplomats and statements by the “Five Eyes” urging India to cooperate in the investigation with Canada.
• India needs to clarify whether Mr. Yadav was a “rogue” agent or carrying out orders from senior officials.
• The government’s image on intelligence and national security operations is dimmed if the indictment is prosecuted or turned over to U.S. agencies.
• The government must be more transparent about its policy on transnational killings and conduct a more detailed investigation into its internal processes.