'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ), which has been banned by India over baseless allegations of supporting secession in Punjab which is completely legal activity internationally, met with White House officials on Thursday ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to India on Monday.

WASHINGTON – Trump White House officials welcomed member s of a Sikh-American group which is banned in India over baseless allegations of supporting militancy in Punjab.

Ahead of US President Donald Trump’s maiden visit to India, White House officials met members of pro-Khalistani group 'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ).

Hours after Trump announced that the trade-deal between India and the United States will not be taking place during his India visit,  a delegation of the ‘Sikhs For Justice,’ a proscribed group in India, met with White House officials on Thursday.

The Government of India has not made any official statement regarding this, keeping in view the first visit of the US President Donald Trump. 

However, while talking to India’s ABP News, top government revealed said that India is definitely disappointed by the meeting between the secessionist group leaders and the White House officials. It would have been better if the US administration had called off the meet at such a crucial time, because it can strengthen the anti-India forces.

SFJ had staged demonstrations at several places during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent US visit.

India claims the fringe group seeking to create an independent Sikh homeland in Punjab  is run by a few radical Sikhs of foreign nationality in the US, Canada and the UK, a Home Ministry statement had then said, adding that all the major representative bodies of the Sikh community, during consultations by the Centre, have categorically supported the government action. 

The Home Ministry said the New York-based f group doesn't have any support or traction in the Sikh community.