Russia has cast doubt on the allegations made by the United States regarding the involvement of Indian citizens in a purported murder plot targeting Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, accusing Washington of interference in India's internal affairs and ongoing elections.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, responding to a report by the Washington Post, disputed the credibility of U.S. claims, stating, "According to the information we have, Washington has not yet provided any reliable evidence of the involvement of Indian citizens in the preparation of the murder of a certain GS Pannun. Speculation on this topic in the absence of evidence is unacceptable."
Zakharova further criticised Washington for its purported lack of understanding of India's national mentality and history, condemning what she called "unfounded accusations" about religious freedoms in India.
"Regular, unfounded accusations by the United States against New Delhi...are a reflection of the United States' misunderstanding of the national mentality, the historical context of the development of the Indian state, and disrespect for India as a state," she remarked.
Describing the U.S. actions as indicative of a "colonial period mentality," Zakharova accused the White House of attempting to disrupt India's ongoing general parliamentary elections.
"The reason is that they try to unbalance the internal political situation in India in order to complicate the (ongoing) general parliamentary elections. That is part of meddling in India’s internal affairs," she asserted.
Zakharova also took aim at the U.S. government, suggesting that it was guilty of repression both domestically and internationally, stating, "The Washington Post, it seems to me, should use the term'repressive regime' and everything you quoted in relation to Washington. It is difficult to imagine a more repressive regime than Washington, both in domestic and international affairs."
The Washington Post had cited unnamed sources linking a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer to the alleged plot to kill Pannun on American soil last year.
India has vehemently denied the accusations, labelling the report as making "unwarranted and unsubstantiated" claims on a serious matter and confirming that an investigation into the case was ongoing.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that a high-level inquiry committee established by the Indian government to investigate the security concerns shared by the U.S. government was still examining the case.
"There is an ongoing investigation of the high-level committee set up by the Government of India to look into the security concerns shared by the US government on networks of organised criminals, terrorists, and others," Jaiswal affirmed.
"Speculative and irresponsible comments on it are not helpful," he added.
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