India Calls For US Action On Pro-Khalistan Group

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday flagged India's concerns about the activities of US-based secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which has called for the creation of Khalistan, and its links with Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence, during talks with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, people aware of the matter said.

- Rahul Singh

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Singh and Gabbard also explored avenues for deepening collaboration in areas including cutting-edge defence innovation and niche technologies, with both sides expressing their shared commitment to advancing mutual strategic interests.

"They addressed key areas such as enhancing interoperability and fostering greater integration of defence industrial supply chains to bolster resilience and innovation," the defence ministry said.

Singh urged Gabbard to designate the SFJ, headed by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, as a terrorist entity and clamp down on its anti-India activities being carried out on American soil, the people cited in the first instance said, asking not to be named.

Pannun has already been declared a terrorist by India and his organisation, SFJ, banned under an anti-terror law.

Seeking strict action against the Khalistani outfit, the minister highlighted its linkages with other terror organisations, including Babbar Khalsa International, HT has learnt. SFJ is known for issuing threats to Indian political leaders, diplomats and other officials, besides targeting Hindu temples.

The talks came at a time when the two sides are looking at expanding defence cooperation with focus on multiple domains in land, air, maritime and space, interoperability, logistics and information sharing, and joint military exercises.