PM Modi’s US visit: Sikh activists request protection from White House.
During PM Modi’s visit to the U.S., Sikh activists and separatists held their first meeting with the National Security Council. This marked a significant moment, as it’s the first instance where the Council engaged directly with these groups. While the meeting has generated interest, details regarding the discussions or outcomes remain scarce. The activists have been vocal in seeking protection and raising concerns related to their safety and rights. The meeting indicates that the U.S. administration is paying attention to these concerns, but the lack of available information leaves many questions unanswered about future steps.
Washington: A group of Sikh activists recently met with White House officials, who assured them that the U.S. government is committed to protecting all Americans from acts of transnational aggression on its soil. The meeting, which took place ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day visit to the United States, was aimed at addressing safety concerns raised by Sikh activists and separatists, particularly in light of rising tensions and international incidents. According to community leader Pritpal Singh, this meeting marked a significant step in reinforcing the protection of Sikh Americans.
During his U.S. trip, Modi will attend the Quad Summit in Delaware and address the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The timing of the meeting, held at the White House complex on Thursday, underscores the growing concerns about transnational repression and its potential impacts on diasporas living in the U.S.
Key attendees of the meeting included Pritpal Singh, founder of the American Sikh Caucus Committee, as well as representatives from the Sikh Coalition and the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF). The meeting is significant not only for its participants but also because it is the first time the National Security Council (NSC) has met directly with Sikh activists and Sikh separatists. The activists, who have long been advocating for justice and safety, viewed the meeting as an opportunity to hold the U.S. government accountable for ensuring the safety of their community.
In his statement following the meeting, Pritpal Singh praised the government for its vigilance, stating, “Yesterday, we had the chance to thank senior federal government officials for saving the lives of Sikh Americans and for their vigilance in protecting our community.” He further added, “We asked them to do more, and we will hold them to their assurances that they will.”
The meeting was initiated by the White House as part of a broader effort to address concerns related to transnational aggression and repression, particularly against U.S. citizens and residents with ties to foreign countries. The rise in international tensions has heightened fears within the Sikh community, especially following incidents involving individuals who have dual citizenship or political affiliations abroad.
Pritpal Singh also took to social media to express gratitude for the U.S. government’s actions, posting on X (formerly Twitter) about the meeting. In his post, he reiterated the community’s commitment to ensuring that the promises made by the government are fulfilled. “We will hold them to their assurances to do more to safeguard our community. Freedom and justice must prevail,” he wrote.
While details of the meeting remain scarce, the discussions highlighted the need for continued vigilance and protection for Sikh Americans, particularly those who have been vocal in their opposition to foreign governments or have been targeted by transnational actors.
This meeting follows a related move in Congress, where Congressman Adam Schiff recently introduced the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024. The proposed legislation would require the U.S. Attorney General, in coordination with other relevant federal agencies, to report cases of transnational repression against individuals living in the United States. This bill is seen as a response to increasing instances where foreign governments or their agents have attempted to suppress political dissent or target individuals outside their borders.
SALDEF, one of the groups present at the meeting, voiced its support for the new legislation.
In another related development, Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a figure known for his advocacy of an independent Sikh state, filed a civil lawsuit against the Government of India and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Pannun’s legal action, initiated earlier this week, accuses the Indian government of targeting him on U.S. soil due to his political activities.
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued summons in the case following Pannun’s filing, bringing the Indian government and Doval into the legal spotlight in the United States. The lawsuit is based on an incident in which federal prosecutors charged Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, with conspiring to kill Pannun in the U.S. Gupta, who was indicted in November last year, allegedly worked with an employee of the Indian government to execute the foiled plot. Pannun, who holds dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship, has been a prominent figure in the Sikh separatist movement and has long been at odds with the Indian government over his calls for Khalistan, an independent Sikh homeland.
As tensions surrounding transnational repression continue to rise, the U.S. government’s actions in addressing the concerns of the Sikh community are likely to set a precedent for how such issues are handled in the future. The meeting with the White House officials is a key moment in this ongoing struggle, and Sikh activists remain hopeful that the commitments made will translate into lasting protections for their community.
The attention given to this issue, both through legislation and direct meetings with federal officials, signals a heightened awareness within the U.S. government regarding the safety and rights of diaspora communities, particularly those facing threats from foreign governments.