ISLAMABAD: United States (US) President Donald J Trump’s letter to Khalistan Movement leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who has been declared a terrorist by India, is being seen as a significant diplomatic setback for the Narendra Modi-led Indian government.
The letter, dated July 24, 2025, was shared by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in a post on X.
🔥 BREAKING NEWS 🔥
President Trump’s Letter to SFJ General Counsel:
AMERICA WILL DEFEND ITS VALUES, ITS PEOPLE.
Ahead of August 17 Khalistan Referendum Voting in Washington DC — President Trump responds to
SFJ’s campaign with the White House to:— CHECK Modi’s assassination… pic.twitter.com/EARodQaZfW
— Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (@SFJGenCounsel) July 28, 2025
This correspondence highlights challenges faced by India in suppressing the Khalistan movement at the international level. Several global organisations, including the United Nations, have not fully accepted India’s stance on the issue.
Global resonance of Khalistan movement
President Trump’s letter has become evidence of the global resonance of the Khalistan movement and raises questions about India’s diplomatic strategy.
Gurpatwant Singh is the leader of Sikhs for Justice, an organisation that supports the Khalistan cause. The letter has sparked renewed debate internationally.
It is important to note that the Indian government declared Gurpatwant Singh a terrorist in 2020.
The letter holds special significance for the Khalistan movement. In it, President Trump stated: “I put my citizens, my nation, and my values first.” “When America is safe, only then will the world be safe.” “I will never stop fighting for the rights and security of my citizens.”
Khalistan referendum
The timing of the letter is notable, coming just weeks before a Khalistan referendum scheduled in Washington on August 17.
The letter also emphasised policies related to trade, tariffs, defence spending, and American values. President Trump wrote: “As President, I am committed to protecting the values that make us American.”
Additionally, the letter touches on US foreign policy, military preparedness, and global aid decisions.
