Members of Canada’s Sikh community, who have faced police warnings about threats to their lives allegedly linked to the Indian government, are expressing anger over Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit in Alberta.
Modi, whose country is not a G7 member, was invited as a guest to the summit starting Sunday. This marks his first visit to Canada in a decade and poses a diplomatic challenge for Carney, a political newcomer.
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Tensions between Canada and India escalated after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader in Canada. India has denied any role in Nijjar’s death and has accused Canada of harboring Sikh separatists.
Sikh activist Moninder Singh, a friend of Nijjar, described the community’s reaction as “outrage.” He and other Sikh leaders plan to protest in Ottawa on Saturday.
Carney, currently embroiled in a trade dispute with the U.S., is seeking to strengthen international alliances and diversify Canada’s trade. He defended Modi’s invitation, citing India’s significance in global supply chains.
India’s Foreign Ministry stated that Modi’s meeting with Carney would provide an opportunity to discuss bilateral and global issues and reset relations.
However, Sikh leaders remain unconvinced. Moninder Singh, who has received multiple police warnings about threats to his life, called the invitation “deeply insulting,” suggesting that economic interests were prioritized over Sikh safety.
Last year, under Trudeau, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats over alleged links to Nijjar’s killing, accusing India of targeting dissidents in Canada. India denied the claims and retaliated by expelling Canadian diplomats.
Some critics accuse Carney of prioritizing trade over human rights, but analysts say the move reflects pragmatic diplomacy. Carney has stated that Modi agreed to a “law enforcement dialogue,” while India confirmed continued cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
Despite this, Sikh activists argue that Modi’s invitation should have been conditional on accountability for alleged threats against their community.
