RUSSIA BACKS INDIA, LAMBASTS US FOR ACCUSING NEW DELHI OF PANNUN ASSASSINATION PLOT

Russia came out in support of India and gave a strong rebuttal to the allegations made by the United States over the foiled assassination plot against pro-Khalistani extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The Russian Foreign Ministry not only rejected the American administration but also accused Washington of complicating the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that the United States has not provided any form of substantial evidence in this matter, ANI reported.

"According to the information we have, Washington has not yet provided any reliable evidence of the involvement of Indian citizens in the preparation of the murder of a certain GS Pannun," Zakharova said in a press briefing. "Speculation on this topic in the absence of evidence is unacceptable," she added.

The Russian foreign ministry spokesperson insisted that hurling such allegations without any solid evidence is disrespectful to India as a State. The Russian official's remarks came in response to a media query on Moscow's reaction to accusations against an Indian official of a foiled "assassination" plot.

Last month, a Washington Post article claimed a Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer named Vikram Yadav was allegedly involved in the assassination plot. Citing unnamed sources, the news outlet mentioned that Yadav had enlisted a “hit team” to carry out the so-called operation.

Russia accuses the US of meddling with the Lok Sabha polls

During the press briefing, Zakharova bashed both The Washington Post and the US. She even pointed out the fact that the United States has hurled similar groundless allegations against several other nations.

"The Washington Post, it seems to me, should use the term "repressive regime" and everything you quoted in relation to Washington. It is difficult to imagine a more repressive regime than Washington, both in domestic and international affairs. Now directly about your question," Zakharova said.

"Regular unfounded accusations by the United States against New Delhi (we see that they groundlessly accuse not only India but also many other states) of violating religious freedoms are a reflection of the United States' misunderstanding of the national mentality, the historical context of the development of the Indian state and disrespect for India as a state," she added.

Describing the interference as a "colonial period mentality," the Russian spokesperson accused the White House of complicating the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "The reason is the desire to unbalance the internal political situation in India in order to complicate the general parliamentary elections taking place in the country. Of course, this is part of interference in India's internal affairs," she added.

The Pannun Saga

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is an India-designated terrorist who holds American and Canadian citizenship. Last year, the US Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against an Indian national and alleged his involvement in the assassination plot against Pannun.

Last month, The External Affairs Ministry rejected the damming Washington Post report naming the RAW official. The ministry described the report as "unwarranted and unsubstantiated" imputation on a "serious matter" that is under investigation. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal even called the report "speculative and irresponsible".

"The report in question makes unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a serious matter. There is an ongoing investigation of the High-Level Committee set up by the Government of India to look into the security concerns shared by the US government on networks of organised criminals, terrorists and others. Speculative and irresponsible comments on it are not helpful," Jaiswal exclaimed.

Meanwhile, the US Justice Department has already indicted Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, who is currently in custody and has been charged with the murder-for-hire of Pannun. The Czech authorities detained Gupta on June 30.

After the arrest, MEA maintained that a case file against the individual and his alleged link to an Indian official is a "matter of concern" and is contrary to government policy. In light of this, India has also set up a high-level committee to probe the matter.

With inputs from agencies.

2024-05-09T04:44:00Z dg43tfdfdgfd