Biden hosted PM Modi for dinner in 2023. Later came to know of Pannun plot
India Today
US prosecutors claimed the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in June 2023 coincided with PM Modi's state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden. However, the US has said there was no proof that PM Modi knew about the plot. India has also denied any role.
The dramatic U-turn by Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who pleaded guilty to plotting the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has put renewed focus on the 2023 case. Now, a report has shed light on the circumstances of how the US came to know of the alleged conspiracy, which India has denied having any knowledge of. US prosecutors claimed the alleged plot unfolded in June 2023 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a state visit to the White House, according to a report in The New York Times.
On June 22, 2023, then US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted PM Modi for a state dinner that attracted attention for the pomp and pageantry rolled out by the White House. It was then seen as a move by the Biden administration to woo PM Modi away from China and Russia, which was then escalating its military push in Ukraine. On the other hand, China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific concerned the US. Thus, PM Modi's visit held much significance.
US prosecutors claimed that as Biden and PM Modi had dinner, the US President was unaware that an Indian official had allegedly approved the plot to assassinate Pannun in New York City, NYT reported. Biden came to know about the alleged conspiracy only later. Gupta, 54, was arrested in the Czech Republic days after the state dinner. He was brought to the US in 2024.
US officials have, however, made it clear that there was no evidence that PM Modi knew about the plot. Biden also avoided mentioning the case in public. Trump, who took over as president in 2024, has also not spoken about the case or pointed fingers at India.
The latest development marks a stunning turnaround by Gupta. After his extradition to the US in 2024, he had denied any wrongdoing.
On Friday, Gupta admitted to three charges -- murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
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