New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that if an Indian citizen “has done anything good or bad” then the government is “ready to look into it” – upon being asked by the UK-based Financial Times on the alleged plot to assassinate US lawyer and Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.The US is investigating a plot to murder Pannun. Federal prosecutors released a detailed 15-page indictment that named Indian national Nikhil Gupta as the prime accused for hiring a ‘hitman’. The indictment also implicated an Indian government official in masterminding the unsuccessful plot.Modi, in what is his first acknowledgement of the case, also said that it will not impact India-US ties adversely. The news of the indictment broke 20 days ago, on November 29.“If someone gives us any information, we would definitely look into it,” Modi said. “If a citizen of ours has done anything good or bad, we are ready to look into it. Our commitment is to the rule of law.”However, PM Modi also said that India was “deeply concerned about the activities of certain extremist groups based overseas”. “These elements, under the guise of freedom of expression, have engaged in intimidation and incited violence,” he added.“I don’t think it is appropriate to link a few incidents with diplomatic relations between the two countries,” he said.Pannu himself has meanwhile said that he is still getting hundreds of threats a day,Amid concerns of relations turning icy, Joe Biden skipping the Republic Day functions in India have furthered worries. Modi told FT, “There is strong bipartisan support for the strengthening of this relationship, which is a clear indicator of a mature and stable partnership…Security and counter-terrorism co-operation has been a key component of our partnership.”
