New Delhi, Mar 21 (UNI) India today voiced its expectation that the US will take "appropriate action" regarding the anti-India activities by Khalistani separatists in the US.

The issue was raised during the India visit last week of US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and her meetings with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Tulsi Gabbard, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 17 and also spoke at the Raisina Dialogue, also met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, answering queries at a media briefing, said:

“Tulsi Gabbard met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and they discussed security and defence cooperation. She also met with the EAM and the NSA.

“During her meetings with her interlocutors in India, on our side we conveyed our concerns regarding anti-India elements, anti-India activities of secessionist elements in Washington.

“And it is our expectation the US side will take appropriate action in this regard,” he said.

The statement comes ahead of the March 23 so-called “Khalistan referendum” to be held in Los Angeles.

India had raised its concerns regarding activities by Khalistani elements in New Zealand too, during the meeting between New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon and PM Modi on March 17.

PM Modi had said that during his talks with PM Luxon he had shared concerns about the anti-India activities “by certain illegal elements in New Zealand”, in reference to the Khalistani elements there.

PM Modi said: “We’re confident that we will continue to receive the full cooperation of the New Zealand Government against such illegal elements.”

UNI RN