The Wire, a media outlet with left-leaning perspectives, recently released a comprehensive report on January 31st, addressing the India-US drone deal. The headline reads, “US Suspends $3-Billion Drone Sale to India Pending ‘Thorough Investigation’ into Alleged Plot to Assassinate Pannun.” According to the article, the $3.2 billion drone agreement is temporarily halted until the Indian government conducts a substantive and conclusive inquiry into the alleged conspiracy to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a figure associated with Khalistani terrorism.
The news disseminated by The Wire has emerged as a schadenfreude moment for individuals within the leftist faction, seemingly desiring challenges for India under Modi’s leadership. The following is a compilation of tweets from notable figures expressing their sentiments on the matter: Ajai Shukla, the author of The Wire article; Siddharth Varadarajan, the founding editor of The Wire; Audrey Truschke, known for her strong anti-Hindu stance; Pakistani media outlet Samma TV; Gurudath Shetty Karkala; and Kali Yuga Surfer.
The US govt has blocked delivery of 31 MQ-9A Sea Guardian and Sky Guardian drones to India until New Delhi carries out a “meaningful investigation” into the conspiracy to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, @thewire_in has learned.https://t.co/aptf5Okh5j
— Ajai Shukla (@ajaishukla) January 31, 2024
US Blocks $3-Billion Drone Sale to India Until ‘Meaningful Investigation’ of Pannun Assassination Conspiracy | https://t.co/vO3YZ3l0DU
— Siddharth (@svaradarajan) January 31, 2024
Earliest reporting I’ve seen on this — alleging that the US called off an arms sale to India because the BJP tried to assassinate an American citizen and (unsurprisingly) isn’t seriously investigating it.https://t.co/pjbOYigB33 #BJP #Modi #India
— Dr. Audrey Truschke (@AudreyTruschke) January 31, 2024
#US halts $3 billion drone sale to #India!
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) February 1, 2024
No drones until #Modi govt addresses the concerns, says the #US.
The $3 billion purchase, encompassing #SeaGuardian & #SkyGuardian drones for defense, now hangs in the balance.#SamaaTV pic.twitter.com/DLvrzUy6y5
US Blocks $3-Billion Drone Sale to India Until ‘Meaningful Investigation’ of Pannun Assassination Conspiracy
— Gurudath Shetty Karkala (@GurudathShettyK) January 31, 2024
Will Modi show 'Laal Aankh' to US? https://t.co/s1OOaRZVjI
While all RW accounts were singing praises of GAE, I was the only one who took the anti-American line.
— Kali Yuga Surfer (@kaliyuga_surfer) January 31, 2024
Enjoy Modi ji 's brainstroke that is our alliance with the great shaitan.https://t.co/QnqB0IOFWE
In this article, our objective is to meticulously fact-check the assertions presented by The Wire. Furthermore, we will undertake a precise analysis, delving into the strategic maneuvers of this left-leaning media outlet, aiming to discern their underlying motives that may potentially influence the dynamics of the India-United States relationship.
Fact Check
To begin, our primary focus is on fact-checking the assertions put forth by The Wire. Last evening, the State Department issued a press release confirming the approval of the $3.99 billion MQ-9B drone deal with the Government of India.
The Press Note reads, “The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.99 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defense partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region.”
Therefore, the official document has clarified that the drone deal, initially proposed on June 23, has been approved. The left-leaning media’s dissemination of misinformation appears as an attempt to undermine India’s geopolitical standing.
Moreover, during the interim period between The Wire’s article publication and the official approval of the $3.99 billion drone deal by the US government, questions were posed to Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the State Department. When queried about The Wire’s report on the alleged blocking of the $3 billion drone sale to India, linked to the purported investigation into Sikh leader Pannun’s assassination conspiracy, Mr. Miller responded with amusement, stating, ‘Nice try.’ He later clarified, ‘This is a proposed sale that was announced during PM Modi’s visit last year. We believe it offers significant potential to further advance strategic technology cooperation with India.’ This indicates that even before the official confirmation of the drone deal, the State Department had already dismissed and ridiculed The Wire’s report.
On December 15, The Wire published a report featuring statements from five Indian American lawmakers – Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Shri Thanedar. The report emphasized their cautionary remarks, asserting that relations between India and the United States could undergo “significant damage” if there is insufficient accountability for allegations implicating an Indian government official in a plot to kill a US citizen.
Remarkably, all five legislators are widely acknowledged for their anti-India stance and critical perspectives toward the Modi government, consistently working to hinder New Delhi’s global standing. Interestingly, The Wire opted to feature quotes and statements from these lawmakers in its recent article, where the media outlet asserted that the US has suspended the drone deal with India.
Furthermore, on December 15, the anti-India US lawmakers cited the “significant damage” to India-US relations, attributing it to the Pannun assassination investigation. In a recent article, The Wire echoed the exact same rationale for the purported blockage of the drone deal, underscoring the alignment between the media outlet and these lawmakers.
It is apparent that The Wire is aligned with these five anti-India US lawmakers in a coordinated effort to undermine the strategic partnership between India and the US. The significance lies in the potential damage to the India-US relationship, ultimately bolstering China’s influence. In conclusion, The Wire, in collaboration with these lawmakers, attempted to sabotage the drone deal, a move that could benefit China.
| Claim | US blocks 3 billion dollars sale to India |
| Claimed by | The Wire |
| Fact Check | False |
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