I've known Sikhs who've said the same thing. But to your point of separating Sikhs from Indians in identity, what is the "Sikh" stereotyped? Sadly, many whites think they are the same as Afghan terrorists, leading to unfortunate events such as the Gurudwara shooting in Milwaukee. I still believe it's safer and better for Sikhs to identify as a unique identity among Indians. When Sikhs call themselves "Sikh" or "Punjabi" and never mention that they are "Indian" as well, that is what saddens me. Stereotypes are entirely made by foreigners who don't understand any of us. I am a North Indian Hindu and I have many Sikh friends. And they keep telling me that the strategy of many Sikhs abroad is to establish themselves as a separate identity so they can get support for Khalistan. I consider them among the same boat of people who want to spread negativity about Indians. Now, am I saying Sikhs are Hindus? No, but a common ancestry makes us natural allies and part of a similar identity, one that is inseparable.