Vantage | Why Khalistani 'secret-memo' controversy is a message for India

The Khalistan plot is thickening, we’ve heard allegations and seen indictments but now, there is a secret memo. The ‘Secret memo’ has been published by a US news outlet called the Intercept, And who wrote it? Well, according to them, the Indian government. The ‘secret memo’ was allegedly issued in April 2023. It was signed by Vinay Kwatra, India’s foreign secretary, and it was sent to Indian diplomatic missions across North America. And what was the message? The intercept says a crackdown on Khalistani elements. “The pro-Khalistan organisations have become obviously more extreme…Their strategy has gradually shifted from narrative building to street protests…Concrete measures shall be adopted to hold the suspects accountable,” stated the memo allegedly. The memo goes on as it says India ordered a sophisticated crackdown scheme. It doesn’t mention assassination or bodily harm but it does say crackdown. Just one problem though, it has been rubbished by the Indian government. The external affairs ministry has released a statement saying, “Such reports are fake and completely fabricated. So there is no such memo, this is part of a sustained disinformation campaign against India. The outlet in question is known for propagating fake narratives peddled by Pakistani intelligence. The posts of the authors confirm this linkage.” That’s a strong statement. Unusually strong for the MEA. They’ve not just questioned the report but have also questioned the publication and its authors. India says the intercept propagates Pakistani narratives, so what do we make of this latest saga? Well, the timing is important, earlier on Monday, the FBI chief Christopher Wray landed in India. He’s already met the chief of India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He’s also got meetings lined up tomorrow. Now, there’s a lot on his agenda, like cybercrimes, intelligence sharing, and narcotics, but one issue will likely top all of it. The issue of Khalistan. Last month, the US accused an Indian national of an assassination plot. They also said an Indian government official was involved. The target was apparently Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who is a Khalistani with two hobbies: On weekdays, he organises referendums for a Sikh state, and on weekends, he threatens to blow up the Indian parliament. And, who is shielding him? The United States government. In that context, this so-called memo is important. It will make the FBI chief’s visit a bit more complicated, but beyond that, what are the implications? Well, it seems like New Delhi has drawn red lines. Just look at the reactions to Canada, the intercept and the US. Canada gave no evidence. So New Delhi lashed out. The US took the judicial route with an indictment, so New Delhi began its own probe. What about the intercept? They published an unconfirmed memo that doesn’t even mention assassination. Then tied the whole thing to Hardeep Nijjar and Pannun. So once again, New Delhi lashed out. What does that tell you? Cooperation is fine, wild allegations are not. But frankly, this is just the start. More publications will likely follow the intercept. It’s been a trend in American policy. Washington begins, the US media carries it on. So New Delhi should be ready for that. And it’s not just the American media, politicians too are taking a tougher stand, like democratic senator Ben Cardin. He chairs one of the most powerful Congressional committees — the one on foreign affairs. Cardin included India in his recent hearings. And guess what the hearing was about? Targeting of dissidents abroad. Usually, China and Saudi Arabia or Russia and North Korea are discussed in such hearings. But this time the committee also discussed India. Just to clarify. These Khalistanis are not critics. It’s not like they are criticising India’s net-zero climate target. They want to break India up. They are bona fide separatists who are involved in violent crimes and attacks against India. Some of them have been designated terrorists. Clearly, some US politicians don’t understand that and neither does the US media. So India should brace for such so-called leaks and memos. Think of it as an unofficial pressure campaign. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_’s views._ Read all the  Latest News ,  Trending News ,  Cricket News ,  Bollywood News , India News  and  Entertainment News  here. Follow us on  Facebook,  Twitter and  Instagram.