Pro-Khalistani Elements Heckle Indian Ambassador In New York During Gurpurab Celebration, Express Support For Nijjar And Pannun In Viral Video

In an unfortunate incident, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the Indian ambassador to the United States, faced a hostile reception from a group of pro-Khalistani elements during his visit to a gurdwara in New York.

The incident occurred as Sandhu joined the local Sangat to celebrate Gurpurab at Guru Nanak Darbar in Long Island.

A video circulating on social media captures the ambassador being confronted by individuals expressing support for designated terrorists Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Despite the unpleasant encounter, Sandhu did not address the incident in his social media post, where he expressed gratitude for joining the celebration and seeking blessings for all.

This incident adds to the growing trend of pro-Khalistani activities, with similar disruptions reported in various countries, including Canada, the UK, Australia, and the US.

In July, Khalistan extremists carried out an arson attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco, prompting India to seek evidence from US authorities under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.

In September, Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Vikram Doraiswami faced a similar situation in Glasgow, Scotland, where he was prevented from entering a Gurdwara.

India has raised concerns about the security of its diplomats and premises with relevant authorities in countries experiencing these incidents. Recent discussions on India-US security cooperation highlighted shared information about the nexus between organized criminals, gun runners, terrorists, and others.

The Ministry of External Affairs emphasised the seriousness of such information, as it impacts the security interests of both countries, with necessary follow-up actions being pursued.

Earlier, the Financial Times reported that American officials thwarted a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist, within the United States.

The report, based on information from sources knowledgeable about the situation, did not provide details about the alleged plot's progress or whether an actual attempt had been made on Pannun's life.

The incident underscores the need for heightened vigilance and international cooperation to address the challenges posed by pro-Khalistani elements.