- By Kamal Kumar
- Mon, 11 Dec 2023 03:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A new diplomatic upheaval further complicated the challenges for the Indian government, which was already struggling with the persisting discord in India-Canada relations. Days ago, the United States government alleged the role of an Indian national in the conspiracy to assassinate the Khalistani extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. While arresting an Indian-origin man named Nikhil Gupta, the US law enforcement agencies had tried to link the murder plot of one of their citizens to the Indian diplomats currently serving in the USA.
The Pannun Case
Amid the apprehensions of a larger diplomatic fall-out, a more cautious Indian government had promptly promised a fair and timely investigation into the matter, a position significantly different from the response given to the Canadian side after PM Justin Trudeau levelled allegations of involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
As yet both governments are treading the diplomatic ropeway with utmost caution, however US has reiterated the demand for a fair investigation in the case. It is on this background that the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Christofer Wray is arriving in India today for a two-day visit. The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier said that this visit was part of the ongoing cooperation between the US and India on areas of security and counter-terrorism. The visit was earlier confirmed by the US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti.
Who Is Christopher Wray?
A former US attorney, Wray, was nominated in 2017 by erstwhile president Donald Trump to the top post in America's most feared homeland security force, the FBI. Helming the agency since then, he has under his hood the investigations of many high-profile cases such as the role of ANTIFA in the Black Lives Matter riots and the Chinese Espionage Case through Cultural Centres.
Regarding the Chinese espionage case, Wray expressed concern about "nontraditional collectors," including professors, scientists, and students, exploiting the open research and development environment. He had said that this risk extends beyond a government threat, characterising it as a broader "whole of society threat."
Chris Wray, a married man with two adult children, resides in an affluent northern Atlanta suburb in a $2.2 million home. Wray previously served as a top criminal prosecutor post 9/11. Attorney General Jeff Sessions praised Wray's "brilliant legal mind" and commitment to public service.
"The President asked us to look for an FBI director who has integrity, who understands and is committed to the rule of law, and who is dedicated to protecting the American people from crime, gangs, and terrorists," he said. "We have found our man in Chris Wray."
What Wray's India Visit Signifies?
Wray is expected to meet the officials of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as a part of his visit itinerary. According to the news agency ANI, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is preparing to take up the issue of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun with the visiting US official.
It is expected that Wray will also meet officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) here in the national capital during his India visit, ANI reported quoting sources. The Indian side has maintained that the FBI Director's visit is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the US and India, however, questions loom large over the diplomatic tightrope that both countries will walk now.