The invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming G7 summit in Alberta has sparked significant concern within Canada’s Sikh community. Some members, who claim to have received warnings from Canadian police about threats to their lives, believe the Indian government is responsible for these threats.
Despite India not being a G7 nation, Prime Minister Mark Carney invited Modi as a guest. This marks Modi’s first visit to Canada in ten years and presents a delicate diplomatic situation for Carney, especially given the already strained relationship between Canada and India. Tensions escalated in 2023 when former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader, accusations the Indian government vehemently denies. Modi’s government, in turn, has accused Canada of harboring Sikh separatists.
Sikh activist Moninder Singh, a friend of Nijjar, expressed the community’s “outrage” at the invitation and, along with other Sikh leaders, plans to hold a protest in Ottawa. Singh, who himself has been warned by police of threats, sees the invitation as deeply insulting, suggesting that Sikh lives are being devalued in favor of economic interests.
Carney defends his decision by highlighting India’s crucial role in global supply chains, especially as Canada navigates a trade war with the United States and seeks to diversify its exports. India’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal indicated that the meeting between Modi and Carney presents an opportunity to improve relations.
However, critics argue that Carney is prioritizing economic pragmatism over human rights concerns. Singh believes the invitation should have been conditional, requiring Modi’s government to address the accusations and cooperate with investigations. While Carney claims Modi agreed to a “law enforcement dialogue,” some find this insufficient. Political science professor Sanjay Ruparelia defends Carney’s decision as a practical one, driven by “realpolitik.” The RCMP confirmed that they have communicated numerous threats to individuals advocating for a separate Sikh homeland. Under the Trudeau government, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, alleging their involvement in Nijjar’s murder and a broader campaign targeting Indian dissidents. India retaliated by expelling Canadian diplomats, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated. This situation has placed Canada’s Sikh community, the largest outside of India’s Punjab, under increased scrutiny.