By Hamdan Butt – New York
In a significant political development ahead of the August 17 Khalistan Referendum vote scheduled in Washington D.C., former U.S. President Donald J. Trump has responded to the lobbying campaign launched by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). In a letter dated July 24 addressed to SFJ’s General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Trump emphasized his unwavering commitment to American values and citizens, while also signaling indirect support for the rights of pro-Khalistan Sikhs.
🔥 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
Trump’s letter comes in response to SFJ’s four-point campaign that called on the U.S. administration to:
1. Check India’s alleged “assassination regime” and address trade imbalance,
2. Protect pro-Khalistan Sikhs from Indian transnational repression,
3. Support the right to self-determination through the Khalistan Referendum,
4. Impose tariffs on Indian goods in line with the “America First” economic policy.
In his written remarks, President Trump stated:
“My Administration puts our citizens, our values, and our Nation FIRST… ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity worldwide.”
“As President, I will always fight for the values that bind us together as Americans — freedom, justice, and faith.”
The SFJ has announced that the upcoming August 17 voting for the Khalistan Referendum will take place in Washington D.C., and is expected to draw thousands of Sikh participants from across the United States.
Reacting to Trump’s letter, SFJ’s Pannun described it as “a major political acknowledgment that validates the Sikh struggle for Khalistan and counters India’s narrative of branding the movement as terrorism.”
While Trump did not explicitly endorse Khalistan, his messaging around human rights and trade-related checks on India aligns with SFJ’s lobbying themes. Political analysts suggest the letter may also be part of Trump’s broader strategy to engage diaspora groups in his 2024 campaign narrative of “Making America Great Again.”
There has been no immediate reaction from the Indian government or the Indian Embassy in Washington. However, the issue is likely to raise diplomatic concerns given India’s strong objections to the Khalistan Referendum campaign, which New Delhi considers a threat to its sovereignty.
The referendum, though non-binding and unofficial, continues to gain momentum among Sikh diaspora communities, particularly in North America, Europe, and the UK.
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