The first bilateral meeting between Modi and Trump since the new U.S. President took office concluded with discussions on several key issues, many of which were resolved. The joint statement released afterward highlights the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two nations in law enforcement.
“The leaders also committed to strengthen law enforcement cooperation to take decisive action against illegal immigration networks, organized crime syndicates, including narco-terrorists human and arms traffickers, as well as other elements who threaten public and diplomatic safety and security, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both nations“, the joint statement read.
PM Modi Calls for an End to the Human Trafficking Ecosystem
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the need to address the human trafficking ecosystem that plays a major role in the illegal immigration of Indians to the USA.
He also stated that India is prepared to repatriate its nationals residing illegally in the United States, stressing the importance of dismantling this trafficking network.
PM Modi expressed his belief that President Donald Trump would offer full cooperation in eliminating this ecosystem.
“Those who stay in other countries illegally do not have any legal right to be there. As far as India and the US are concerned, we have always said that those who are verified and are truly the citizens of India – if they live in the US illegally, India is ready to take them back,” PM Modi responded to a query during the joint press conference with President Trump following their bilateral discussions.
He stated that the majority of those residing illegally come from regular families and have been misled by human traffickers.
“But it doesn’t stop just there for us. These are people from ordinary families. They are shown big dreams and most of them are such who are misled and brought here. So, we should attack this entire system of human trafficking. Together, it should be the effort of the US and India to destroy such an ecosystem from its roots so that human trafficking ends…Our bigger fight is against that entire ecosystem, and we are confident that President Trump will fully cooperate with India in finishing this ecosystem,” he added.
Joint Statement Highlights Threats to Diplomatic Safety and Territorial Integrity, Hints at Khalistani Activities in the U.S.
The joint statement highlights not only organized crime networks, human trafficking, and narco-terrorists but also refers to "elements that threaten public and diplomatic safety," subtly alluding to Khalistani groups in the USA that have been threatening Indian diplomats. Additionally, the mention of threats to sovereignty and territorial integrity reinforces the focus on Khalistani activities without explicitly naming them.
For years, Khalistani groups in Canada and the USA have targeted Indian diplomats and citizens while openly advocating for India's territorial division to establish the so-called 'Khalistan.' Multiple unofficial referendums have been conducted in these countries, with their leaders exploiting free speech protections in the USA and Canada to issue death threats against Indian leaders, diplomats, and even civilians. Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Pannun, based in the USA and frequently traveling to Canada to coordinate with other Khalistani leaders, has repeatedly issued terror threats against India from American soil—an issue that the Indian government has raised on multiple occasions.
‘Inappropriate things were done under Biden administration’: Donald Trump
During the press conference, US President Trump was asked about the Khalistan issue. The question focused on whether the USA would extradite Khalistani terrorists in the same manner they agreed to extradite Tahawwur Rana, and whether Trump would revisit the Khalistan matter raised by India, as well as reconsider the Biden administration’s allegations against Indian agencies.
The journalist was referring to accusations against Indian nationals, and indirectly the Indian government, of orchestrating the murder of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Pannun.
In November 2023, the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment against an Indian national for his alleged role in a failed plot to assassinate US-based Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Pannun in New York. US officials charged Nikhil Gupta after his arrest in the Czech Republic in June 2023, and he was set to face extradition to New York.
The Justice Department claimed that an unnamed Indian government employee (referred to as CC-1) recruited Gupta to hire a hitman for the assassination, which was thwarted by US authorities.
Gupta was extradited to the USA in June 2024.
These US allegations followed similar claims by the Canadian government, led by Justin Trudeau, which implicated Indian agencies in the killing of another Khalistani separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. However, there were reports suggesting that Nijjar’s murder might have been tied to a gang war among Sikh crime factions in Canada. Trudeau's government failed to provide solid evidence, leaving him facing embarrassment and straining India-Canada relations.
Gurpatwant Pannun is a fugitive terrorist wanted by Indian law enforcement for serious UAPA offenses, while Nijjar was also a wanted criminal who had fled to Canada under questionable circumstances, despite his criminal record in India.
In this context, Trump’s statement that the Biden administration did “inappropriate things” is significant, as it subtly acknowledges the questionable nature of the affair. The Trump administration has come to power with a strong agenda to cut wasteful government spending and minimize unnecessary global conflicts. DOGE is already working to halt the flow of money into dubious covert operations run by US agencies, which have fueled global conflict for decades. The new DNI, Tulsi Gabbard, has also been vocal in opposing the US deep state, which is responsible for stirring conflicts and engaging in covert operations to destabilize countries and prolong wars.
There is hope that the US government under Trump may recognize that harboring wanted Indian terrorists and allowing them to issue threats against India’s sovereignty and diplomats does not align with their goal of a peaceful and prosperous USA. In Canada, Khalistani separatist elements are already influential enough to shape the political and diplomatic discourse. Letting these elements grow on US soil would contradict Trump’s promises to the American people.
With Trump’s indirect admission of the Biden administration’s missteps and his pledge to “make it good” for India, there is hope that US support for Khalistani terrorists will soon come to an end.
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