Indian-American lawmakers, deeply troubled by the revelations, have frozen legislative movement related to the drone sale, emphasising the need for India to fully investigate the matter and hold those responsible
The United States government has suspended the delivery of 31 MQ-9A Sea Guardian and Sky Guardian drones to India pending a thorough investigation into an alleged conspiracy to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a New York-based Khalistan activist accused of terrorism by India. The proposed $3 billion purchase, including drones for the Indian Navy, Air Force, and Army, has been put on hold amid concerns over the assassination plot and the involvement of Indian officials. Indian-American lawmakers, deeply troubled by the allegations, have stalled legislative progress related to the sale, citing the need for accountability and assurances from the Indian government.
The proposed $3 billion drone purchase, which includes 15 Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy and eight Sky Guardian drones each for the Indian Air Force and Army, has been put on hold until a “meaningful investigation” into the conspiracy to assassinate Pannun is carried out by Indian authorities.
The delay in delivering these lethal, long-range weapons to India stems from a federal indictment made public last November, implicating an Indian security official named CC1 in the plot to assassinate Pannun. Nikhil Gupta, another individual allegedly involved in the conspiracy, has been formally charged with murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire.
Indian-American lawmakers, deeply troubled by the revelations, have frozen legislative movement related to the drone sale, emphasising the need for India to fully investigate the matter and hold those responsible, including government officials, accountable. They have warned of “significant damage” to the US-India partnership if prompt action is not taken.
The US State Department, when contacted for comments on the delayed approvals for the drone deal, refrained from making any statements until formal notification to Congress. Similarly, the Indian Navy and India’s defence ministry did not respond to requests for comments.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, downplaying the impact of the issue on Indo-US ties, highlighted the strong bipartisan support for strengthening the relationship between the two countries. However, the suspension of the drone delivery underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the need for a thorough investigation to address concerns raised by US lawmakers.
The MQ-9A Sea Guardian and Sky Guardian drones, known for their versatility and endurance, are crucial assets for monitoring and securing large swathes of the Indian Ocean. With an impressive payload capacity and operational flexibility, these drones play a vital role in enhancing the Indian Navy’s ability to safeguard international trade routes passing through the region.
The suspension of drone delivery to India underscores the gravity of the alleged assassination plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and the need for a comprehensive investigation to address concerns raised by US lawmakers. The outcome of the investigation will likely impact the future of US-India defence cooperation and bilateral relations.