Illinois temple shooting plot: India urges US to ensure safety of Indian nationals

India had on Thursday expressed deep concern over reports of the alleged plot, linking the incident to growing concerns over “racist hostility and anti-India hate” in the US.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal Photo | ANI

India on Friday called on the United States to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals, describing an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois as a matter of “deep concern”.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks in response to a query during his bi-weekly media briefing.

A 19-year-old was arrested in Palatine, near Chicago, for allegedly planning a mass shooting at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Aurora, Illinois, on Sunday. The plan reportedly failed after the gun he was carrying jammed and could not fire.

The teenager appeared in court on October 14 and was charged with one count of making a terrorist threat and one count of unlawful possession of weapons.

VIDEO | In response to an attempted mass shooting in the United States, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "Regarding your other question about the attempted mass shooting that happened in Aurora, Illinois, an area close to Chicago, you would have seen the statement we issued yesterday. This is obviously a matter of deep concern for us. At the same time, it highlights the increasing cases of hate crimes and racial discrimination against the Indian community in the United States. We have taken note of the action that US law enforcement authorities have undertaken following this incident, but we call on the US side to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals in the country." (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 16, 2026

India had on Thursday expressed deep concern over reports of the alleged plot, linking the incident to growing concerns over “racist hostility and anti-India hate” in the US.

Several US lawmakers and advocacy groups have also expressed shock over the alleged plot, warning that anti-India hatred was escalating into violence.

(With inputs from PTI)