In a surprising move that has sparked fresh diplomatic tension, U.S. President Donald Trump has sent an official letter to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a pro-Khalistan activist and legal counsel for Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting American values and citizens’ rights.
The letter, dated July 24, 2025, comes just weeks ahead of the Khalistan referendum scheduled for August 17 in Washington, DC, and is being viewed as a major diplomatic embarrassment for India, especially given its strategic ties with the United States.
In the letter, Trump reiterated his core policy of putting “our citizens, our values, and our Nation FIRST,” and emphasized his administration’s focus on freedom, justice, and domestic security. He noted that one of his first actions as president was signing an Executive Order directing the State Department to ensure all foreign engagements prioritize American interests, including a 90-day freeze on foreign aid.
Pannun, who shared the letter on X (formerly Twitter), framed it as a response to SFJ’s lobbying efforts, which called on the U.S. to:
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Address what he termed India’s “assassination regime’s trade imbalance”
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Protect pro-Khalistan Sikhs from alleged Indian repression abroad
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Support the Sikh community’s right to self-determination
The situation is particularly sensitive following the failed assassination attempt on Pannun last year, which U.S. authorities linked to India’s intelligence agency, RAW. The plot, uncovered on U.S. soil, led to the arrest and indictment of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national.
Trump’s letter, though not explicitly endorsing the Khalistan movement, is being interpreted by analysts as a diplomatic signal to India amid growing concerns over alleged transnational repression and human rights issues. It also underscores increasing scrutiny of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and its global conduct regarding dissenting voices abroad.
