Indian 'spy network' operates in US, Canada

Sikh separatist urges both countries to stop regimes like Modi's from operating

NEW YORK:

Canada and the US must get tougher on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for trying to silence dissidents on foreign soil, a Sikh who was the target of an alleged India-led murder plot said.

The US Justice Department has unsealed indictments against two Indian nationals in connection with a plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen, in New York. The two Indian accused included an ex-government official, who the indictment said worked as an intelligence officer at the time and had orchestrated the assassination plan.

Pannun told Reuters earlier this month that the Modi government should not be allowed to conduct hostile activity in foreign countries and said India's consulates in the US and Canada were running a "spy network", although he did not provide any proof.

The US and Canada "need to put their foot down that regimes like Modi's … should not be allowed to come to America or Canada, challenge their sovereignty and get away with it. They need to put their foot down and close [the consulates] permanently", he said.

Pannun did not elaborate on the alleged spy network.

The US and Canada have alleged Indian agents were involved in assassination plots in their countries last year against campaigners for Khalistan, a Sikh homeland they want carved out of India's Punjab state.

Pannun said Vikash Yadav, the former Indian official indicted by the US for the alleged attempt on his life, was just a "middle-tier soldier", assigned the task of organising the assassination by higher-level Indian officials. He did not offer any proof nor say how he had come to the conclusion.

Pannun, who has been holding independent referendums in the US, Canada and Europe on creating Khalistan, said in the interview his movement advocates a peaceful resolution of the matter and will continue despite threats to his life