**U.S. Charges Former Indian Intelligence Officer in Alleged Assassination Plot Against Sikh Separatist**

The U.S. Justice Department has taken a significant diplomatic step by charging Vikash Yadav, a former officer of India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Yadav is accused of orchestrating a failed plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist in New York City last year. This unprecedented move directly implicates the Indian government in a violent cross-border scheme, according to U.S. officials.

The indictment against Yadav, unsealed on Thursday, marks a turning point in U.S.-India relations. Over the past 16 months, U.S. officials had held back from charging Yadav, hoping to avoid tensions with a key geopolitical ally. The U.S. administration had been waiting for India to conduct a thorough internal investigation as promised.

However, growing frustrations among Biden administration officials over India's handling of the inquiry pushed the United States to pursue legal action. This latest development signifies the U.S. government's commitment to holding even its closest allies accountable when it comes to matters of international law and security. The charges reveal an escalation in efforts to enforce consequences for such brazen acts of violence and interference on American soil.