High-level panel looking into US's security concerns: MEA

India said on Wednesday it has set up a high level inquiry committee to examine allegations of a conspiracy to kill Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on US soil, even as a media report said the matter had been raised with New Delhi by the top American leadership.

- Rezaul H Laskar

'The Financial Times', citing unnamed people, had reported on November 22 that US authorities had thwarted a plot to assassinate Pannun, a leader of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), and issued a "warning" to the Indian government over concerns it was linked to the plot.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Indian government constituted the high-level inquiry committee on November 18 to look into "all the relevant aspects" of the matter.

"We have already said that during the course of discussions with the US on bilateral security cooperation, the US side shared some inputs pertaining to nexus between organised criminals, gun runners, terrorists and others," Bagchi said in a brief statement that made no reference to Pannun or SFJ.

He added, "We had also indicated that India takes such inputs seriously since they impinge on our national security interests as well, and relevant departments were already examining the issue." Bagchi further said, "In this context, it is informed that on November 18, the Government of India constituted a high-level Enquiry Committee to look into all the relevant aspects of the matter." India will take "necessary follow-up action" based on the findings of the committee, he said.

In a related development, the US has charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta with conspiring to assassinate Pannun, the attorney's office in Manhattan said on Wednesday.