India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the country’s external intelligence agency, is facing allegations of increasingly targeting dissidents and separatists abroad. Recent reports have shed light on the involvement of RAW officers in foiled assassination plots and espionage activities.
In the United States, an Indian RAW officer, Vikram Yadav, allegedly ordered the assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a vocal critic of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a Sikh separatist. Pannun, who holds dual citizenship in the US and Canada, is the general counsel of Sikhs for Justice, a group labeled as an “unlawful association” by India. The plot was uncovered when an informant, Nikhil Gupta, working with US federal agencies, alerted authorities. The Washington Post’s report has raised questions for the Indian government to address.
Meanwhile, in Australia, a “nest” of Indian spies was reportedly expelled in 2020 for attempting to steal defense secrets and monitor expatriate communities. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) discovered their activities, which also included surveillance of Indian residents and establishing connections with current and former politicians. The revelations have created political complications for Australia, given the growing security partnership between the two countries.
Similar incidents have occurred in Canada, where another Sikh separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was assassinated outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia. Nijjar, associated with Pannun, had also been declared a “terrorist” by the Indian government. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly linked Indian intelligence to Nijjar’s killing, leading to a diplomatic row between the two nations.
Additionally, Pakistan, India’s archenemy, has witnessed the killings of several Sikh and Kashmiri separatists living in exile. These individuals, labeled as “terrorists” by the Modi government, have been targeted over the past three years. Pakistani officials have accused India of being responsible for these killings.
The Ministry of External Affairs of India has rejected the allegations, dismissing them as “unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations.” However, the reports from reputable sources raise concerns about India’s spy agency potentially targeting dissidents and separatists abroad.
2 Responses
It is concerning to hear about allegations of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) targeting dissidents and separatists abroad. While it is important for any country to protect its national security interests, it is equally crucial to respect the rights and freedoms of individuals, including those who may hold dissenting views.
Targeting dissidents and separatists abroad raises questions about the boundaries of intelligence operations and the potential infringement on human rights. It is essential for intelligence agencies to operate within legal frameworks and adhere to international
Do you believe that intelligence agencies should have the authority to target dissidents and separatists abroad in the interest of national security, or does this infringe upon individuals’ rights to freedom of expression and political dissent?