New Delhi: Amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in India, Russia has made a sensational claim. Russia has claimed that the US is trying to interfere in India’s elections and is not even respecting it as a country. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has alleged that the US is trying to destabilize the internal political situation in India and complicate the general elections. Not only this, Russia reprimanded the US in the Pannu case and backed India saying that it has not produced a single piece of evidence on the allegations yet.
Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, ‘Washington does not have a simple understanding of India’s national mindset and history as the US continues to make baseless accusations about religious freedom. Washington’s action is clearly an interference in India’s internal affairs. As far as speculation is concerned, since there is no evidence, it is not acceptable. America is not respecting India as a country.
What did Russia say on the conspiracy to kill Pannu?
Along with this, Russia has supported India in the allegation of conspiracy to kill Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. Russia rejected US claims of involvement of Indian officials in the conspiracy to kill Pannu and said that Washington has not yet provided any credible information or evidence to prove that Gurpatwant Singh was involved in the conspiracy to kill Pannu.
Strong criticism of America
Russia has criticized the US for falsely accusing many other countries. Spokesperson Maria said, ‘It is hard to imagine a more repressive regime than Washington’s in international and national affairs. In November last year, US federal prosecutors charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta with working with an Indian government official in the failed plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. Pannu, wanted in India on terrorism charges, holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada. He has been designated a terrorist by the Union Home Ministry under the Anti-Terrorism Act Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
What was claimed in the media report?
In fact, the American newspaper ‘The Washington Post’, citing unidentified sources, named an officer of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) in connection with the alleged plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Pannu. The report claimed that RAW officer Vikram Yadav identified Gurpatwant Singh Pannu as the ‘primary target’ and constituted a ‘hit team’ to carry out the operation. However, India has rejected these allegations. Following the report, India constituted a high-level committee to investigate the allegations. The US said it was awaiting the results of the Indian investigation into the matter.
Tags: India Russia, Lok Sabha Election 2024, Lok Sabha Elections, Russia, Vladimir Putin
First published: May 9, 2024, 10:37 IST