India will continue to address issues impacting its national security with the US, the External Affairs Ministry said on Friday. The statement came after reports of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu’s presence at Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony.
“Whenever there is any anti-India activity, we take up the matter with the US government. We will continue to take up with the US government matters that have a bearing on our national security and have an anti-India agenda,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu was seen at President Donald Trump’s high-profile swearing-in ceremony, which was attended by top political and business leaders from across the world. Several reports claimed that Pannu had secured tickets for the high-security event through a contact.
In a widely shared video, the crowd can be seen enthusiastically chanting “USA, USA” as Donald Trump and Melania walk on stage. Amid the crowd chanting pro-US slogans, Pannu briefly turned his camera towards himself and quickly said, “Khalistan Zindabad.”
After the video went viral, several Indian users expressed surprise, questioning how Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a man notorious for threatening Indian diplomats and aerial bombing, got access to such a high-profile event.
A dual US-Canadian citizen, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu has been declared a terrorist in India.
In July 2020, under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Pannu was declared a terrorist for his role in advocating separatism and inciting violence. The Indian government also issued multiple arrest warrants against him and froze his properties.