A change now

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raised the issue of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) in the U.S., urging the designation of the organization as a foreign terrorist organization.
• SFJ, led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, advocates “selfdetermination” for Sikhs in Punjab, seeking to establish a sovereign state of Khalistan.
• The Khalistani insurgency, which led to the assassination of a Prime Minister, has resurgence in several western countries, causing growing concern for India.
• Pro-Khalistani protests, often turning aggressive, have become a pattern, prompting the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to lodge a strong protest with the U.K.
• Diplomatic efforts to address the issue, particularly with Canada and the U.K., have often been met with a lacklustre response, frustrating India.
• Allegations that Indian agencies attempted targeted killings of Khalistani sympathisers have strained bilateral ties with Canada and the U.S.
• The Trump administration appears less inclined to escalate the matter and may be more receptive to India’s concerns.