New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) affirmed that India will raise concerns with the United States regarding Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s reported presence at Donald Trump’s inauguration. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that India consistently addresses anti-India activities with the US government and will continue to raise matters impacting national security.
“Whenever there is an anti-India activity we take up the matter with the US government. We will continue to raise matter with the US Government that have a bearing on our national security and have an anti-India agenda,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a weekly press briefing.
Pannun was reportedly seen at The Liberty Ball during Trump’s inaugural ceremony, raising pro-Khalistan slogans. He was allegedly not invited but acquired tickets through a contact.
A video circulating on social media shows Pannun among the crowd chanting “Khalistan Zindabad” while others chanted “USA.” The video initially focuses on Trump and Melania Trump before panning to the crowd and Pannun.
The NIA has registered its first case against Pannun for promoting and carrying out acts of terror, using threats and intimidation. Non-bailable warrants were issued against him in 2021, and he was declared a “Proclaimed Offender” in 2022. The NIA has also seized his properties in Amritsar and Chandigarh.
Pannu has been actively advocating for a separate Sikh state, Khalistan, in India, US, Canada and the UK. He has previously incited Sikh youth in Punjab to join militancy. The three arrested operatives, whose names have not been released, face charges related to promoting separatism and defacing public property.
Notably, in July 2020, the Union Home Ministry designated Pannun as a terrorist, and two months later, the government ordered the attachment of his properties under Section 51A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
