The U.S. Department of Justice claims that Nikhil Gupta, an Indian citizen, was involved in a murder-for-hire conspiracy in 2023. American prosecutors have alleged that Gupta plotted to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. On Friday, Gupta admitted guilt to the charges of attempting to orchestrate the assassination of Pannu before U.S. District Judge Sarah Netburn in New York. The relationship between Gupta and the motives of the alleged conspiracy further raises questions about India's stance and involvement in foreign operations.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannu is a Khalistani terrorist with U.S. citizenship, advocating for the formation of a separate Khalistan state. The Indian government firmly denies any involvement by the Indian state in such operations. This conviction not only highlights the legal proceedings against Gupta but also brings attention to the complexities surrounding international law and the actions of foreign nationals allegedly connected to terrorism.

Additionally, while Nikhil Gupta's story is currently shrouded in mystery, it also invites comparisons to other instances where CIA agents have been caught executing similar operations throughout history, especially during the Cold War and in more recent times. Such operations often included espionage, infiltration, or intelligence gathering, reinforcing ongoing debates about the reach and implications of intelligence organizations like the CIA.