OTTAWA: Sikh groups in Canada have strongly criticised Prime Minister Mark J Carney’s decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming G7 summit in Alberta, calling the move outrageous amid ongoing strained Canada-India relations.
The invitation, extended during a recent phone call and later confirmed by Modi on social media, marks a significant diplomatic gesture despite tensions between the two countries.
The Indian prime minister wrote on his ‘X’ handle: “Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister Mark J Carney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month.
As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests. Look forward to our meeting at the Summit.”
The invitation comes at a time when Canada-India relations have been tense since 2023, following the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Canada had accused India of involvement in the assassination, while India rejected the allegations, leading to both countries expelling diplomats. Additionally, allegations of India’s alleged interference in Canadian elections further heightened tensions.
Meanwhile, the World Sikh Organisation of Canada (WSO) condemned Prime Minister Mark Carney’s invitation to the Indian prime minister to attend the upcoming G7 Summit. The timing and nature of this announcement have caused outrage and pain within the Sikh community across Canada, the WSO said in a statement.
On May 21, the WSO sent a formal letter to Prime Minister Carney urging him not to invite Prime Minister Modi.
The letter detailed India’s well-documented campaign of transnational repression targeting Sikhs in Canada, including the 2023 assassination of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the RCMP’s confirmation of “clear and compelling evidence” of Indian government agents engaging in criminal activities on Canadian soil.
Modi’s invitation comes despite India’s continued refusal to cooperate with Canadian authorities, including its denial of requests to waive diplomatic immunity for implicated officials.
Just weeks ago, the Bishnoi gang — linked to Indian intelligence operations — claimed responsibility for the May 14 murder of a Sikh businessman in Mississauga. Modi has openly said that India will now go to other countries and kill those it deems to be its enemies, the WSO said.
WSO President Danish Singh said: “For Sikhs in Canada, this is a betrayal, not just of our community, but of core Canadian values. Prime Minister Carney’s decision to invite Narendra Modi, while India continues to deny any role in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and refuses to cooperate with Canadian authorities, is both shameful and dangerous.
He said India has done much more on Canadian soil in terms of foreign interference and transnational repression, including orchestrating murders.
“What message does this send to the Sikh community and to the family of Hardeep Singh Nijjar? This is a complete reversal of the principled stance taken by Prime Minister Trudeau, and it undermines justice, accountability, and the rule of law in Canada. We hope the large number of Sikh MPs in Parliament will take a stand and make clear that our community will not be treated as expendable,” Danish Singh said.