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India has asked the United States to list the Sikh separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) as a terrorist organization, an Indian government source confirmed on Tuesday. This request comes more than a year after the US foiled a plot with Indian links to kill SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual US-Canada citizen. The plot was publicly revealed in November 2023, and later charges were filed against a former Indian spy officer accused of directing the operation.
The request was made during discussions between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US national intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, according to the unnamed source. While the Indian government has not provided detailed public statements, Indian media have reported on the diplomatic move.
SFJ’s Advocacy for Khalistan and India’s Response
Sikhs for Justice, founded in 2007, has been advocating for the creation of a separate state for Sikhs known as Khalistan, which would be carved out of the Hindu-majority India. The organization holds referendums among the Sikh diaspora to push for this cause. In 2019, India declared SFJ an “unlawful association” due to its support for secessionist and extremist activities. SFJ’s leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, was listed as an “individual terrorist” in 2020.
The Indian government’s efforts to curb SFJ’s influence have extended internationally. In particular, India has been engaged in a diplomatic dispute with Canada following the killing of another Sikh separatist figure in June 2023, a case that raised further tensions between the two nations.
SFJ’s Rejection of Terrorism Accusations
SFJ has vehemently rejected accusations that it is engaged in terrorism. In response to India’s request to label the group a terrorist entity, Pannun issued a statement challenging the claim. “Who is the terrorist?” he asked rhetorically, arguing that SFJ’s peaceful advocacy for a Khalistan referendum should not be equated with terrorism. Pannun further criticized the Indian government, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration of using violent methods and transnational repression to suppress the Khalistan movement.
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Diplomatic Tensions and Security Concerns
India’s request to the US to designate SFJ as a terrorist group reflects the growing geopolitical concerns surrounding Sikh separatism and cross-border security issues. While India seeks to bolster its position on the international stage, the US has not made an official comment on the request as of yet. A US Embassy spokesperson referred to a previous statement about the security discussions between Singh and Gabbard but did not address SFJ specifically.
During her trip to India, Tulsi Gabbard acknowledged the “serious concerns” voiced by Indian officials regarding security interests but did not provide further details on the matter.
Ongoing Tensions Over Sikh Separatism
The request to label SFJ as a terrorist group comes amid wider international tensions surrounding Sikh separatism. SFJ continues to push for its Khalistan agenda, particularly in light of ongoing support among some segments of the global Sikh diaspora. The group’s activities and its advocacy for a referendum continue to present challenges for the Indian government, especially as international communities navigate the complex intersections of national security, human rights, and regional separatism.
The situation reflects broader concerns about how nations handle secessionist movements, transnational activism, and the balance between maintaining security while respecting democratic and peaceful political expression.
