Recent developments indicate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has seemingly aligned himself with Pakistan, particularly regarding an Indian delegation's visit to the United States. Pannun's statements and actions reveal a concerning trend of siding with India's geopolitical adversaries while simultaneously attempting to undermine India's internal stability.
Pannun, who heads the proscribed organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has been a vocal proponent of the Khalistan movement, which seeks to create a separate Sikh state in India. He has been designated as a terrorist by India for his secessionist activities and has a history of making provocative statements against the Indian government. In several recent pronouncements, Pannun has openly sided with Pakistan, urging Sikh soldiers in the Indian Army not to fight against Pakistan in the event of a war. He has even gone so far as to say that Punjabis in India would serve "langar" (community meals) to the Pakistani army, painting a picture of Pakistan as a friendly neighbor of a future Khalistan.
These statements have emerged against a backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. Pannun has exploited this situation by attempting to incite Sikh soldiers and create divisions within the Indian Army. His message is that Pakistan is not the enemy of the Sikhs but rather a potential ally.
This alignment with Pakistan raises serious questions about Pannun's motives and the true nature of his separatist agenda. Pakistan has a long history of supporting separatist movements in India, and Pannun's overtures to Pakistan align with this pattern. It is also important to note that Pakistan has been accused of targeting Sikh holy sites. This makes Pannun's silence regarding these attacks all the more conspicuous and casts doubt on his self-proclaimed role as a champion of Sikh rights.
Furthermore, Pannun's recent rhetoric has also targeted India-US relations. As an Indian delegation visited the US to strengthen ties and discuss various strategic partnerships, Pannun has attempted to undermine this engagement by criticizing India's policies and seeking to create a negative perception of the country within the US. This interference attempts to disrupt growing cooperation between the two countries on defense, trade, and technology. The US and India have a shared interest in a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
India has already formally requested the US to designate SFJ as a terrorist organization, highlighting the threat posed by Pannun and his group. India has provided evidence of SFJ's involvement in extremist activities and its attempts to incite violence and secessionism. However, the US response has been a point of contention, with some concerns raised about the extent to which the US is willing to act against Pannun's activities on American soil. The US has previously foiled a plot, allegedly with Indian links, to assassinate Pannun in the US, which further complicates the matter.
The Indian government views Pannun's activities as a serious threat to its national security and territorial integrity. His attempts to incite Sikh soldiers, align with Pakistan, and undermine India's relationship with the US are all seen as part of a larger agenda to destabilize India and promote secessionism.
