Senior U.S. officials met with Sikh advocates on Thursday to address concerns about threats to the Sikh community in the United States, including a foiled assassination attempt on a prominent activist last year, according to several attendees.
The meeting, held with top White House and U.S. intelligence officials, took place just days before President Joe Biden is set to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The U.S. has been urging India to investigate the murder plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen, while conducting its own criminal inquiry into India’s possible involvement in the incident.
U.S. officials briefed a group of Sikh advocates on ongoing discussions with India during a closed-door meeting organized by the National Security Council, according to attendees.
Neither the White House nor the Indian embassy in Washington immediately responded to requests for comment.
President Joe Biden is scheduled to hold a one-on-one meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of a joint summit involving the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia on Saturday. India has played a key role in Washington’s intensified diplomatic efforts to strengthen strategic alliances aimed at countering the growing influence of China and Russia.
Senior U.S. officials assured the Sikh community on Thursday of Washington’s commitment to safeguarding Americans from “transnational repression,” which refers to government efforts to harass or threaten individuals on foreign soil.
Last September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed credible allegations linking the Indian government to the June 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist. In the U.S., Indian national Nikhil Gupta faces charges for allegedly plotting to kill another separatist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, under orders from an unnamed Indian intelligence official. Following these incidents, Sikh activists in the U.S. and Canada, including Pritpal Singh, have reported ongoing threats and harassment.
