Blinded by aversion to India’s rise, Western media’s reports on Pannun, reflect its disdain for objectivity India vs disinformation 03 May 2024
Blinded by aversion to India’s rise, Western media’s reports on Pannun, reflect its disdain for objectivity India vs disinformation 03 May 2024
Last week, timed to perfection with Indian elections, The Washington Post published an article, with evidently leaked inputs from US government departments, revealing details on the Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attempted murder mystery. Pannun, a US-Canadian citizen, is the supposed spokesperson of the SFJ (Sikhs for Justice), an organization pushing for an independent Khalistan, and has been on the radar of Indian agencies for some time. He is a declared Indian terrorist. SFJ is backed by Pakistan and Pannun protected by US agencies.
The SFJ has instigated attacks on Indian diplomatic assets as also threatened its diplomatic staff in the US, UK and Canada. The article linked Pannun’s attempted assassination to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada as also killings of J and K and Khalistani terrorists (almost 20) in Pak. While Nijjar’s case remains under investigation by Canadian authorities, no one has been arrested for the killings in Pakistan. However, both Ottawa and Islamabad blame Indian RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), which New Delhi denies. The Washington Post squarely accused RAW, ignoring the fact that India has denied its involvement as also no proof has been provided.
The article, written by established Indian baiters, claimed that the RAW officer involved in the failed attempt on Pannun was Vikram Yadav, on deputation with the agency. It mentioned that the plot was approved by the then RAW chief, Samant Goel, sans proof. It believed, though could not substantiate, that India’s National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval, was probably aware.
As expected, the report was based on ‘anonymous sources.’ Mentioning the involvement of the RAW chief and NSA, without a shred of evidence, is aimed at discrediting the current government during ongoing elections as also degrading Indo-US ties.
An analysis will indicate, even to a layman, that inputs for the article were provided by sources within the US government. The other references were made to cover their own biased assessments. Whether the leak was accidental or deliberate by anti-India lobbies within the US government is unknown. Post leaking inputs to the tabloid, US agencies informed New Delhi that an article on Pannun will shortly be published. This was possibly an attempt to keep Indo-US ties at the current level, while damaging its global prestige.
The intent of the Washington Post to impact India’s credibility gets crystal clear from select extracts from the article. A sentence mentions, ‘The revelations have added to Western concerns about Modi, whose tenure has been marked by economic growth and rising global stature for India, but also deepening authoritarianism.’ The world acknowledges India as the largest democracy but the Washington Post thinks otherwise. It ignores the fact that the world’s largest elections are peacefully underway in India.
The article further states, ‘A recent report by Freedom House, a human rights organization, listed India among the world’s practitioners of “transnational repression,” a term for governments’ use of intimidation or violence against their own citizens — dissidents, activists, journalists — in others’ sovereign territory.’ It compares India to ‘repressive regimes’ like China, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia etc. It does not term the US, Israel and Pakistan, who have been involved in similar killings, as repressive regimes.
The report adds that India acted because it believed itself as a ‘rising player’ in global geopolitics, which even the ‘US cannot afford to alienate.’ It quotes an unnamed US security official mentioning that India did so knowing ‘they would get away with it.’ The anti-India stance is evident. New Delhi refusing to toe Washington’s line is anathema for many US media houses.
The Indian government responded forcefully. The MEA spokesperson stated, ‘The report in question makes unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a serious matter.’ He added that an investigation was ongoing, further mentioning, ‘Speculative and irresponsible comments on it (ongoing investigation) are not helpful.’ India has instituted a high-level inquiry into the incident and is regularly sharing inputs with the US.
The US state department spokesperson, responded to a question on the article, by mentioning, ‘We’ll also continue to raise our concerns directly with the Indian Government at senior levels, but beyond that, I’m not going to parse into this further.’ Evidently the White House and key staff intend to keep the incident on the sidelines as relations grow.
The US is aware that it needs a rising and militarily powerful India to push its strategy in the Indo-Pacific. However, it does not seek a strategically autonomous India which refuses to toe its diktat on other subjects. It neither seeks an India which has normalized its ties with China, as unless there are tensions between the two, Indian support to the US would dwindle.
It is with this intent that they provide unofficial support to the Khalistan movement alongside their Canadian allies, ensuring India remains concerned. India had provided detailed inputs of those behind attacks on its San Francisco consulate to the US. Thus far the US claims police investigations are ongoing. Aware of US intent, India, on its own, has acted and confiscated property of Khalistan activists and those involved in attacks on its diplomatic assets.
Almost simultaneous with The Washington Post article was one in the Australian media claiming two RAW agents (spies) were ordered to leave the country in 2020. The timing of the release of this input is suspicious, coming after four years late and timed with the Washington Post piece.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation mentioned, ‘Indian spies were kicked out of Australia after being caught trying to steal secrets about sensitive defence projects and airport security, as well as classified information on Australia’s trade relationships.’ It was termed as the ‘foreign nest of spies.’
The agents were also accused of developing ‘targeted relationships with current and former politicians’ as also ‘monitoring the Indian diaspora.’ Both the Australian and Indian governments refused to comment at the time of going to press.
Evidently, there would be more reports, true or false unknown, in the coming days. For Pakistan, this is a boost as it can now blame all incidents of killings within its soil on India. The intent of western media appears to be to lower the image of India’s premier institutions, RAW being the first. The immediate fallout would be that Indian diplomats would be looked at with suspicion across the globe.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army