The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday reaffirmed India’s commitment to addressing any activities that pose a threat to its national security with the United States. The statement came in response to reports of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun being spotted at an event during Donald Trump’s official inauguration on January 20.
“Whenever there is an anti-India activity, we take up the matter with the US government. We will continue to raise matters with the US Government that have a bearing on our national security and counter an anti-India agenda,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated at the ministry’s weekly press briefing.
Pannun was reportedly seen attending The Liberty Ball, one of the official inaugural ceremonies. According to a report by WION, the Khalistani separatist was not officially invited to the event but managed to obtain tickets through a contact. During the event, as attendees chanted ‘USA, USA,’ Pannun was seen raising pro-Khalistan slogans, a moment captured on video and widely circulated on social media.
The video initially showed close-up footage of Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on stage before panning to the crowd. Amid the chants of ‘USA, USA,’ Pannun’s voice was heard chanting ‘Khalistan Zindabad,’ drawing significant attention to his presence.
Pannun, the leader of the banned organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has been a longstanding figure in anti-India propaganda. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered its first case against him for promoting and executing acts of terror aimed at instilling fear in Punjab and other regions. Non-bailable warrants were issued against him on February 3, 2021, and he was declared a ‘Proclaimed Offender’ on November 29, 2022. The NIA has also confiscated his properties in Amritsar and Chandigarh.
The MEA’s statement underscores India’s consistent efforts to counter anti-India narratives and safeguard its national interests on the global stage. The government’s engagement with the US on such issues reflects a collaborative approach to addressing security concerns and ensuring accountability for individuals engaged in activities that threaten India’s sovereignty.
