Senators Want Strong Diplomatic Response Over Nikhil Gupta Case

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – On June 17, a group of US senators submitted a letter to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, voicing their concerns over the Indian government’s alleged involvement in a thwarted plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on US soil. The letter was signed by Senators Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden, Tim Kaine, Bernie Sanders, and Chris Van Hollen.

The senators questioned how the State Department plans to press the Indian government to hold those involved in the plot criminally accountable and to prevent future acts of transnational repression. They stressed the importance of India upholding its commitment to human rights both domestically and internationally, especially as it seeks a larger role on the global stage.

With the recent conclusion of India’s 2024 general election, which saw the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi retain power, the senators see a crucial opportunity for the United States to prioritize this issue in its dealings with the Indian government.

The letter follows the case of Nikhil Gupta, who is now in a US prison after being extradited from the Czech Republic. “We urge a strong diplomatic response to ensure that all of those who were involved are held accountable and request a briefing on the status of the administration’s engagement with the Indian government on this matter,” the senators wrote.

They highlighted the crucial relationship between the United States and India, encompassing security cooperation, trade and investment, and strong cultural and people-to-people ties. However, citing democratic principles and the rule of law, they asserted, “It is imperative that we take an unequivocal stand against such a threat to the rights of a US citizen and violation of US sovereignty, which are examples of India’s increasingly irresponsible efforts to silence critics of its government among its diaspora around the world.”

The letter concludes with a call for robust diplomatic engagement to address these serious allegations and to uphold the integrity of democratic values and human rights in international relations.