Just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day visit to the United States, White House officials held a meeting with a group of pro-Khalistan Sikh activists. Reports indicate that the meeting happened within the White House complex on Thursday and included Pritpal Singh from the American Sikh Caucus Committee, as well as representatives from the Sikh Coalition and the Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund (SALDEF).
According to attendees, officials provided a briefing to a group of Sikh advocates about the government's ongoing discussions with India during a closed-door meeting organised by the National Security Council.
In a post on X on Friday, Pritpal Singh, founder of the American Sikh Caucus Committee, expressed gratitude to US officials for their commitment to protecting Sikh Americans.
Thankful to U.S. officials for their vigilance in protecting Sikh Americans. We will hold them to their assurances to do more in safeguarding our community. Freedom and justice must prevail.https://t.co/4YnNZagTRl
— Pritpal Singh (@PritpalASCC) September 20, 2024
"We will hold them to their assurances to do more to safeguard our community. Freedom and justice must prevail,” he stated.
The meeting raised diplomatic concerns, as the group representing the separatist movement was promised protection from "any transnational aggression" while on US soil. However, the US has not issued any official statement confirming that it offers refuge to such groups.
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar previously addressed the issue, stating that while India respects freedom of speech, it does not mean endorsing separatism or promoting violence against diplomats.
"India respects and practices freedom of speech, but freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom to support separatism. It does not equate with freedom to threaten foreign diplomats or allow political space to elements advocating violence,” Jaishankar said.
In light of these developments, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, currently residing in the US, has filed a civil lawsuit against the Indian government and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The US District Court for the Southern District of New York has issued summons requesting a response from Indian officials, including former R&AW chief Samant Goel and others alleged to have conspired to assassinate Pannun.