India confirms ‘CC1’ arrest as officials leave for talks in Washington

India has informed the United States that it has arrested an individual identified as “CC1” in connection with a US DOJ indictment.

India has informed the United States that it has arrested an individual identified as “CC1” in connection with a US Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment. This indictment implicated CC1 in orchestrating an assassination plot against a U.S. citizen on U.S. soil. A US official confirmed this information to Hindustan Times (HT).

Background to the case

The person, identified by the Washington Post as Vikram Yadav, was previously a government official in India. The DOJ indictment alleged that he directed an alleged assassination attempt against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a designated terrorist and U.S. citizen, in New York in June 2023. Following the allegations, India has stated that CC1 is no longer a government official and that a commission of inquiry has been set up to further investigate his connections.

Investigative measures and diplomatic engagement

Members of the Indian Commission of Inquiry will visit Washington DC to discuss their findings with US officials and gain insight into the ongoing US investigation. This visit was confirmed by the US official, who noted that the committee’s trip had been planned well in advance. The travel arrangements were first mentioned in a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, which was later removed from the ministry’s website.

The DOJ indictment indicated that the murder plot had been foiled. Nikhil Gupta, a middleman alleged to have links to CC1, was arrested in Prague last year and has since been extradited to the US, where his trial is expected to begin soon. Strikingly, the hired killer, who was allegedly contracted by Gupta, turned out to be an undercover law enforcement agent.

American response and involvement

The US official expressed encouragement over India’s actions, saying: “We are encouraged that this individual is no longer a government official. We have also learned that he has been arrested on local charges.” They emphasized that this step reflects a commitment to accountability and serious engagement between both governments in this area.

There has been frequent contact between US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and there are ongoing discussions between officials from both countries at various levels.

India’s diplomatic situation

News of CC1’s arrest coincides with India downgrading its diplomatic ties with Canada, recalling its high commissioner from Ottawa and expelling six Canadian diplomats. When asked whether there was coordination between these developments, the US official stated that the timing was coincidental and emphasized that the investigative committee’s visit was focused solely on the US case.

The US remains committed to pursuing accountability regarding the allegations, reinforcing its willingness to work with India on this matter.

The legal landscape

The DOJ indictment contained allegations that led Pannun to file a lawsuit in New York against the Indian government, Doval, and the then head of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), Samant Goel. Following this, a New York court issued a subpoena against those named in the lawsuit. Doval’s absence from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US last month is widely interpreted as a result of the ongoing controversy surrounding these allegations.

Contrast with Canada

The way the American and Indian authorities have handled the allegations is in stark contrast to Canada’s approach. US officials shared specific information privately with Indian counterparts before the allegations were made public, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused India in parliament without providing evidence for more than a year.

Unlike strained relations with Canada, the US-India relationship has not been hampered by these allegations as both countries continue high-level diplomatic contacts and work through appropriate legal channels to address the situation. India’s acknowledgment of the allegations and the formation of a commission of inquiry demonstrate India’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the face of serious claims.