White House Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer traveled to New Delhi on Monday to address the formation of an investigative panel by India regarding an unsuccessful plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on U.S. soil. In a statement, the White House acknowledged India's establishment of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate lethal plotting in the United States and stressed the importance of holding accountable anyone found responsible. The U.S. Justice Department recently announced charges against a man accused of orchestrating the attempted murder, while also alleging that an Indian government official directed the plot. The target of the assassination attempt was identified as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist and dual citizen of the United States and Canada.

India expressed concern about one of its government officials being linked to the plot, dissociating itself from the incident as it goes against government policy. In response, India stated that it would formally investigate the concerns raised by the U.S. and take necessary follow-up action based on the findings of the panel established on November 18. This news comes just two months after Canada made “credible” allegations linking Indian agents to the murder of another Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in a Vancouver suburb. India has rejected these allegations.

The issue of the assassination plot and the allegations against Indian officials has become highly delicate for both India and the Biden administration, as they strive to strengthen their ties in the face of an increasing threat from China. The Indian government has long complained about the presence of Sikh separatist groups outside of India, viewing them as security threats. These groups advocate for Khalistan, an independent Sikh state carved out of India. While India has outlawed the Khalistani independence movement and has limited support for it within Punjab, the desire for Khalistan remains strong among the Sikh diaspora, particularly in Canada, Australia, and Britain.

During the visit, Jon Finer met with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. They discussed not only the investigation into the assassination plot but also several other issues, including developments in the Middle East such as the Israel-Hamas war, plans for a post-war Gaza, and recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

The federal indictment of an Indian citizen implicated in a murder-for-hire scheme targeting a Sikh separatist in New York could potentially strain relations between the United States and India, just as the Biden administration has been seeking to build closer ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. The charges are rooted in a long-standing dispute over the demand for Khalistan, a sovereign Sikh state in northern India that the Modi government opposes. The indictment alleges that an Indian government official orchestrated not only the failed plot in New York but also the killing of a Sikh separatist in Canada, who was shot in June by masked gunmen outside a temple in Vancouver.

The idea of Khalistan finds its roots in Sikhism, a religion with 26 million followers globally, the majority of whom live in Punjab, northern India. Sikhs make up less than 2 percent of India's population. Although the movement for Khalistan is outlawed in India and has limited support within Punjab, it remains a rallying cry for the Sikh diaspora, particularly in Canada, Australia, and Britain.

The desire for Khalistan emerged during the 1970s and 1980s, gaining traction among Sikhs in both Punjab and the Sikh diaspora. It eventually led to an armed insurgency that lasted over a decade, prompting a strong response from India, including the use of force, torture, illegal detentions, and extrajudicial killings. The insurgency was largely crushed in the early 1990s, and hope for a more inclusive future for Sikhs arose, culminating in the appointment of the first Sikh prime minister, Manmohan Singh, from 2004 to 2014.

The Sikh diaspora, particularly those who left India during or after the separatist violence, carried the wounds of that era, advocating for a Khalistani state. However, political observers note that these activists, while passionate in their protests against India, have largely remained unorganized. The diaspora's social interactions often revolve around Sikh temples, and while the demand for Khalistan is strong, it has not translated into an active movement.

Despite the apparent decline of the Sikh independence movement in Punjab, the Indian government has recently expressed concerns about its resurgence, leading to the arrest of a separatist leader earlier this year. The Indian government has also accused Sikh separatists in Canada of vandalizing Hindu temples and attacking the offices of the Indian High Commission during protests. India has warned that any failure by foreign governments to address Sikh separatism would hinder their relations with India.

The investigation into the assassination plot and the allegations against Indian officials is a sensitive issue for both India and the United States. As they navigate this delicate situation, both nations are keen to develop stronger ties to counter the perceived threat from China.