'Gratuitous advice' by 'unrelated' third party has no role: India's retort on China's remarks on Khalistani terrorist

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserted that "speculative comments and gratuitous advice" by any “unrelated” third party has no role.

India’s retort comes after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in a press conference that the concerned countries must abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations.

"China noted the reports. We hope relevant countries will earnestly observe international law and the basic norms governing international relations," Jian said.

Addressing the weekly press briefing on Thursday, the MEA spokesperson said, "India and the United States, as two countries adhering to the rule of law, are capable of dealing with any issues that we have between ourselves. There is no role for any speculative comments and gratuitous advice by unrelated third parties."

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, declared as a terrorist by India, holds citizenship in both the United States and Canada.

According to the indictment by the US Justice Department, Nikhil Gupta, an Indian citizen currently in custody, faces charges related to a murder-for-hire plot targeting Pannun.

The US Justice Department stated that an Indian government employee, unnamed in the indictment, recruited Gupta to engage a shooter for the alleged assassination of Pannun. However, US authorities intervened and prevented the plan.

In response to these developments, India established a committee last year to investigate the allegations related to the foiled assassination conspiracy.