India, Nov. 10 -- The US State Department has formally transmitted the summons and complaint in Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's civil lawsuit to the Indian Embassy in Washington through a diplomatic note, bringing the case a step closer to formal proceedings against the Indian government.

In a letter to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, the State Department said the documents were delivered to the Indian Embassy on October 9. The transmission was made under Section 1608(a)(4) of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), which provides for service of legal documents on foreign governments through diplomatic channels.

The department said it was legally obliged to facilitate the transmission and...