 "Rajnath Singh urges US Intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard to act against Khalistani group SFJ")
synopsis
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged US spy chief Tulsi Gabbard to take strong action against the pro-Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice.
During a meeting with US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pressed for strong action against the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), ANI reported citing sources.
Singh reportedly emphasized India's concerns over Gurpatwant Singh Pannun-led SFJ’s activities, which include separatist propaganda and alleged involvement in extremist incidents. The discussion comes amid rising tensions over Khalistani elements operating from foreign soil, with India urging global partners, including the US, to crack down on groups threatening its national security.
In November 2023, the US Department of Justice revealed an alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, reportedly orchestrated by an individual linked to the Indian government. Subsequent reports identified the suspect as an operative of India’s foreign intelligence agency, R&AW, who allegedly attempted to contract a hitman for the assassination.
India has strongly denied any involvement in the plot and has initiated a high-level probe into the allegations.
Pannun, who holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada, is wanted in India on terror charges. He has been designated a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a stringent anti-terror law aimed at curbing extremist activities.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with the United States Director of National Intelligence in the national capital on Monday, during which they discussed key aspects of defence cooperation and intelligence sharing between the two nations.
Singh shared details of the meeting on X, stating, "Happy to have met the US Director of National Intelligence Ms Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi. We discussed a wide range of issues which include defence and information sharing, aiming to further deepen the India-US partnership."
Happy to have met the US Director of National Intelligence Ms @TulsiGabbard in New Delhi. We discussed a wide range of issues which include defence and information sharing, aiming to further deepen the India-US partnership. pic.twitter.com/DTUgJIgeCN
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 17, 2025
Gabbard is visiting India as a part of her multi-nation visit. The Asia leg of Gabbard's trip will culminate in an address on March 18 at the Raisina Dialogue, a multinational gathering of security officials in Delhi, to which Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited her.
Earlier on Saturday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held a meeting with Gabbard, and according to sources, they discussed several facets of the India-US relationship in detail.
Her visit to India follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in February this year.
During his visit, PM Modi met with Gabbard and called her a "strong votary" of the India-US friendship. Gabbard also called it an "honour" to welcome PM Modi and said she looks forward to continuing to strengthen the US-India friendship.
Gabbard is also set to participate in a keynote conversation with Samir Saran, President, ORF. The 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue is being co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
PM Modi will inaugurate the Raisina Dialogue today, where the chief guest, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, will deliver the keynote address.
The Raisina Dialogue, set to be held in New Delhi from March 17-19, is India's premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community.
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