Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to take decisive action against the Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) during a bilateral meeting in Delhi today.

The talks, part of Gabbard’s two-and-a-half-day visit to India, focused on deepening India-U.S. defence and security ties, with Singh raising concerns over SFJ’s anti-India activities operating from American soil.

Singh specifically highlighted SFJ, a U.S.-based secessionist outfit banned in India since 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and its leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, whom India has designated a terrorist. Sources indicate Singh pressed for SFJ to be listed as a terror group in the U.S., citing its alleged links to Pakistan’s ISI and its role in inciting violence and separatism, including threats against Indian leaders and diplomats.

The meeting followed Gabbard’s discussions with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Sunday, where intelligence-sharing was a key focus.

Gabbard, the first high-ranking Trump administration official to visit India since Trump’s second term began, arrived Sunday and is set to address the Raisina Dialogue on Tuesday. Singh described the talks as productive, posting on X, “Happy to have met Ms. Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi. We discussed a wide range of issues including defence and information sharing, aiming to further deepen the India-US partnership.”

The push against SFJ underscores India’s broader effort to curb transnational threats, spotlighting a critical test for Indo-U.S. cooperation under Trump’s renewed leadership.