US Panel Seeks Sanctions on India’s RAW Over Alleged Murder Plots
A report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has called for sanctions against India’s external spy agency, RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), over alleged involvement in assassination plots targeting Sikh separatists. The report claims that India has been involved in assassination attempts against individuals linked to the Khalistani movement, including those in the United States and Canada.
The commission’s recommendations also include sanctions against Vikash Yadav, a former Indian intelligence officer, following a failed plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the U.S. The allegations have caused strains in U.S.-India relations, particularly concerning India’s role in international religious freedom issues. The panel described the situation for religious minorities in India as “deteriorating,” citing rising discrimination and violence against religious minorities, especially Muslims.
Despite these findings, the U.S. government is unlikely to impose sanctions, as the commission’s recommendations are non-binding. India has previously dismissed the commission’s reports as biased and politically motivated, particularly in the context of its foreign policy and the recent political rhetoric surrounding elections.
Allegations and Strained Relations
In its annual report, the U.S. Commission also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for promoting divisive rhetoric against religious minorities during the 2024 election campaign. The report further urged the U.S. government to designate India as a “country of particular concern” for violations of religious freedom, suggesting targeted sanctions against both Yadav and RAW.
The tensions between the U.S. and India over these issues, particularly concerning the treatment of religious minorities and the alleged covert operations abroad, highlight the complex nature of U.S.-India relations amid shared concerns over China’s rising influence.
