Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday, March 17, raised the issue of anti-India activities conducted on American soil by the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) during his meeting with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, news agency ANI reported, citing sources.
During his meeting with Gabbard in Delhi, Singh expressed India’s concerns over the SFJ, headed by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, and asked the US to take strong action against the unlawful organisation, according to reports.
The meeting assumed significance after US prosecutors charged an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to kill Pannun, alongside another alleged Indian government official, in November last year.
In November 2023, the US Department of Justice revealed that it had uncovered a plot to assassinate Pannun, allegedly orchestrated by a person employed by the Indian government. In later revelations, the individual was identified as an agent of India’s external spy agency, R&AW, who allegedly attempted to hire a contract killer to murder the SFJ chief.
India has denied any involvement in the alleged attempt to assassinate Pannun and launched a high-level investigation into the case.
Pannun holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada and is wanted in India on terror charges. He has been designated a terrorist under the stringent anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
