Threat from Khalistani Separatist Pannun to Indian Ambassador Considered 'Serious' by MEA
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New Delhi, Dec 20 (NationPress) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) disclosed on Friday that New Delhi has addressed the latest threat posed by the US-based Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun against India's Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, with utmost seriousness, and has communicated this concern to the authorities in Washington.
In a recent video message, Pannun proclaimed that Kwatra is being monitored by pro-Khalistani Sikhs in America, accusing him of collaborating with Russian authorities, who are allegedly providing information to Indian intelligence agencies regarding the Khalistani network in the United States.
"Whenever such threats are made, we consider them very seriously and address them with the US government. In this specific instance as well, we have communicated our concerns to the US government, and we expect that the United States will take our security worries earnestly and take necessary action," stated MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing held in New Delhi on Friday.
A former Foreign Secretary, Kwatra assumed his role as India's Ambassador to the United States in August of this year, following Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
This appointment occurred during a period when Khalistani separatists have been increasingly targeting the Hindu community within the country, as well as Indian diplomatic missions.
Khalistani elements have been implicated in several incidents of vandalism against temples, particularly in California and New York, as well as acts of arson and destruction at the Indian embassy in San Francisco.
Numerous lawmakers, including Shri Thanedar - a Democrat representing Michigan in the House of Representatives - have raised concerns regarding the "significant rise" in assaults on Hindus and their places of worship in the United States.
The lawmaker recently expressed dissatisfaction with law enforcement agencies for their inability to identify the perpetrators behind the incidents targeting temples and the consulate.
"It seems to be a highly coordinated attempt to assault these places of worship, instilling considerable fear within the community. Frequently, we observe that local law enforcement initiates these investigations, but rarely are any suspects identified, leading to a stalemate in the investigations.
"This situation leaves the community feeling neglected and unheard. There is a lack of communication regarding the progress of these investigations, leading to a persistent climate of fear and insecurity within the community, with minimal support from law enforcement," he commented.
The lawmaker further stated that he and his colleagues are urging the US Department of Justice to enhance collaboration between local law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, emphasizing that greater priority must be assigned to such hate crimes against this peaceful community.
