India once again called for tough action from the United States against the illegal Khalistani militant organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and its promoter, US lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The outfit, implicated in anti-India activities, has its roots from American land. Pannun, who is facing 104 criminal cases in India, among them eight from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), is accused of plots against top Indian leaders, among them Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
Rajnath Singh, Tulsi Gabbard Discuss Security Cooperation
The call for action was made during a meeting between India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi. The two discussed defence cooperation and information sharing.
Rajnath Singh tweeted on X after the meeting:
“Delighted to have met the US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi. We touched upon a range of issues that include defence and sharing of information with a view to further consolidating the India-US partnership.”
Doval Expresses Concern Over Anti-India Forces in the US
Before meeting Rajnath Singh, Tulsi Gabbard also held talks with NSA Ajit Doval, where the issue of Khalistani extremism was a key point of discussion. Sources indicate that Doval specifically highlighted concerns regarding anti-India elements operating from American soil.
Ms. Gabbard is set to speak at the Raisina Dialogue, a high-profile international conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, where security cooperation between India and the US is likely to be a top agenda item.
India’s Ongoing Drive Against Khalistani Extremism
India has continually asked Western countries, the US, the UK, and Canada to target Khalistani sympathizers and terrorists operating out of their territories. This topic was also touched upon during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US, meeting with the erstwhile President Donald Trump, and discussed was the organized crime that was associated with the Khalistani network.
Although India expressed its concern, Trump neither directly answered about Khalistani outfits in the US nor denied anything.
India-New Zealand Diplomacy on Khalistani Question
India has also approached New Zealand with such similar concerns. The Ministry of External Affairs validated that India consistently warns friendly countries about the abuse of democratic liberties by anti-India forces for facilitating terrorism and attacking Indian interests.
India Denies US and Canada’s Charges
India’s campaign against Khalistani extremism is amidst the recent US and Canadian accusations levelled against India, alleging its role in attacking Khalistani terrorists overseas. The US previously accused an erstwhile Indian intelligence officer of being behind a botched plot to kill Pannun, and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian authorities of having connections with the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver.
India has strongly rejected both charges. A January report by a Canadian commission concluded “no definitive link (with a) foreign state” in Nijjar’s killing. Even Trudeau himself confessed under public inquiry that he had no “hard evidentiary proof” backing his allegations against India.
High-Level Inquiry on Organized Crime
On January 15, India handed over a high-level report on inquiry into organized crime and terror networks impacting both India and the US. This inquiry was ordered in response to American charges on the attempted assassination of Pannun.
Tulsi Gabbard on India-US Relations
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Tulsi Gabbard laid stress on the close relationship between former President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Modi.
“With President Trump at the helm in the US and of course, Prime Minister Modi’s long-time leadership in India – we have two leaders of two great nations who are close friends and very keen on how we can reinforce common goals,” she said.
As India continues its diplomatic drive for action against Khalistani extremism, meanwhile, security cooperation with the US remains a priority area.