‘Got Inputs on Organised Crime, Terrorism Nexus’: US Raises Security Concerns, High-Level Committee to Probe – News18

The external affairs ministry (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India constituted a high-level enquiry committee to look into the security concerns raised by the US government after they shared some inputs pertaining to nexus between organised criminals, gun runners, terrorists and others.

“The inputs are a cause of concern for both countries and they decided to take necessary follow-up action,” MEA spokesperson Bagchi said.

“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.

Bagchi further highlighted that India takes such inputs seriously and relevant departments are probing the issue. “We 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 said.

The external affairs ministry then said that the Government of India constituted a high-level Enquiry Committee on November 18 to look into the relevant issues raised by the American counterparts.

“In this context, it is informed that on 18 November 2023, the Government of India constituted a high-level Enquiry Committee to look into all the relevant aspects of the matter. The Government of India will take necessary follow-up action based on the findings of the Enquiry Committee,” Bagchi said.

The statement comes days after western news media outlets claimed that the US thwarted a plan to eliminate Khalistani separatist-terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. Singh, who leads the radical separatist group Sikhs for Justice, is a designated terrorist in India. The Justice Department of the US and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) did not issue any formal statement on such claims.

(with inputs from Shalinder Wangu)