The age-old Indian National Congress appears to struggle with the notion of India as a proud nation on the global stage. Whenever they have the opportunity, their party leaders and common cadres express anti-India sentiments and often support foreign interests over domestic ones. This was evident in a recent post shared by the Mumbai Congress, which ridiculed India for the FBI wanting Vikash Yadav, a former RAW official, instead of questioning the foreign motives and not understanding what RAW specializes in or the implications behind the actions of the USA.
Despite the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirming that Vikash Yadav, the individual named in the U.S. Justice Department’s indictment, is no longer employed by the Indian government, the Congress party seized the opportunity to criticize India and the Modi government. Yadav, a former Indian government employee, is alleged to have been involved in a plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S. citizen, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The Congress party described this situation as a “dark chapter” for India.
On 18 October 2024, the Mumbai Congress shamelessly posed a question through its official X account, stating, “Big Breaking! Another dark chapter for India under Modi’s rule! Vikash Yadav, a former RAW official, is now WANTED by the FBI for murder-for-hire and money laundering conspiracies on U.S. soil! This is the shocking face of transnational repression under Modi, where even Indian intelligence officials are involved in plotting assassinations abroad. India’s global standing is being destroyed by these rogue elements within its agencies. From Canada’s claims of political interference to this mess in the U.S., how many more scandals will it take before Modi is held accountable for fostering this culture of lawlessness and impunity?”
Who Is Vikash Yadav?
Vikash Yadav, born in Haryana in 1984, is named in a wanted poster by the FBI as the second Indian implicated in a conspiracy. He is also known by the names Vikas and Amanat, used to communicate with co-conspirator Nikhil Gupta, who has pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges. The U.S. Justice Department states that Yadav was employed by the Cabinet Secretariat, which includes the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of India’s foreign intelligence service. Yadav has described his role as a “senior field officer,” responsible for “security management” and “intelligence.” He has also mentioned prior service in India’s Central Reserve Police Force, along with officer training in “battle craft” and “weapons.”
What Is Vikash Yadav Accused Of?
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Yadav allegedly recruited Gupta to plan the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Under Yadav’s direction, Gupta contacted someone he believed to be a criminal associate, who was actually a confidential source working with the DEA, for help in hiring a hitman to kill Pannun in New York City. This source introduced Gupta to a supposed hitman, who turned out to be an undercover DEA officer. Yadav purportedly agreed to pay the undercover agent $100,000 for the murder. On or around June 9, 2023, Yadav and Gupta arranged for an associate to deliver $15,000 in cash as an advance for the assassination, which was handed over in Manhattan.
Yadav allegedly provided Gupta with personal information about Pannun, which Gupta relayed to the DEA undercover agent. Yadav instructed Gupta to give regular updates on the plot, which Gupta did by sending surveillance photos of Pannun. Gupta urged the undercover agent to carry out the murder promptly but specifically requested that it not occur during the official state visit of the Indian Prime Minister to the U.S.
Following a related murder, Gupta told the undercover agent that there were “so many targets,” implying that they could proceed without delay. Yadav then sent Gupta a news article about Pannun, emphasizing that the mission was now a “priority.”
What Are The Charges Against Vikash Yadav?
Yadav and Gupta face multiple charges, including murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years; conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, also with a maximum penalty of 10 years; and conspiracy to commit money laundering, which could lead to a maximum of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
The U.S. Justice Department has clarified that an indictment is merely an allegation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Gupta, who was extradited from the Czech Republic, has pleaded ‘not guilty.’ In response to the security concerns raised by the U.S. government, India has established a high-level inquiry committee, with the Ministry of External Affairs emphasizing the seriousness of such inputs as they relate to national security interests.
Anti-India Stance Of Congress
- The Congress manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir, which calls for the restoration of Article 370 and full statehood, garnered praise from Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. He remarked, “The alliance has made the restoration of Article 370 a key election issue. Pakistan and the Congress-National Conference alliance are aligned on reinstating Articles 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir.” Despite the fact that Article 370 and the Kashmir issue were considered settled matters, Congress continues to stoke the flames of this controversy.
- Whenever Congress embarks on foreign visits, they often find themselves embroiled in controversy due to their inclination to engage with anti-Indian sentiments. During a recent trip in September 2024, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi faced sharp criticism for meeting and engaging with Pro-Pakistani Ilhan Omar in the United States. Omar has a history of introducing anti-India resolutions in Congress (US Parliament), opposing the abrogation of Article 370, and violating India’s sovereignty by visiting Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on a trip funded by Pakistan. Additionally, she met with Imran Khan and others to discuss issues like “Islamophobia” in India.
- Following the Pulwama terrorist attack in 2019, several Congress leaders faced criticism for questioning the government’s retaliation and advocating for dialogue with Pakistan. More recently, in April 2023, the party called for a White Paper on the Pulwama attack, seeking transparency and accountability regarding the incident.
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