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The article focuses on the confirmation by both India and the United States that 'CC1,' a former Indian intelligence officer implicated in a failed plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, is no longer an employee of the Indian government. The confirmation came during separate press briefings held by Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the United States Department of State, and Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The confirmation follows the formation of a high-level Indian inquiry committee tasked with reviewing evidence shared by the US government regarding the alleged involvement of Indian national Nikhil Gupta and an Indian intelligence official in the plot. This committee's visit to the US, announced earlier by the Americans, comes amidst diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa over Canada's allegations of Indian diplomats' involvement in the Hardeep Singh Nijjar assassination case. The US initially retracted its statement about the visit but later reinstated it on its website.
During their meeting, the Indian committee members and US government officials described the exchange as 'productive' and emphasized their commitment to sharing updates on their respective investigations. Miller explicitly stated that the US was 'satisfied' with India's cooperation and that both sides would continue to work together. The dispatch of the inquiry committee was considered a strong signal of India's seriousness regarding the case.
The composition of the Indian committee remains undisclosed, but it is reportedly comprised of a retired IPS officer serving as Deputy National Security Advisor and another retired IPS officer currently serving as Special Secretary in the National Security Council Secretariat.