Sikh groups say Ottawa should not invite Indian PM Modi to G7 summit
Sikh organizations in Canada are urging the government to break from tradition and not invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming G7 summit. The summit, hosted by Canada in Kananaskis, Alta., will see leaders from France, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, and the president of the European Commission in attendance.
While Canada has not disclosed the full list of leaders invited beyond the core group of liberal democracies, it has been confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have received invitations.
Modi has been a regular attendee at G7 summits since 2019, and there have been recent indications of improving relations between Canada and India. However, Sikh groups such as the Sikh Federation and the World Sikh Organization are calling for Modi to be excluded from the summit until India cooperates with criminal investigations in Canada. They cite allegations of India’s involvement in the assassination of a Sikh activist in British Columbia in 2023, as well as other violent crimes targeting Sikh Canadians.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has stated that Canada is looking to deepen economic cooperation with India, but the Sikh groups argue that this prioritization of economic interests over human rights is concerning. The Liberal government had initially focused on India as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy in 2022, emphasizing the country’s democratic values and trade potential. However, relations soured following the assassination of the Sikh activist, leading to accusations against India by the Canadian government.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed a desire to pursue trade with India, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect in the relationship. India has refuted the allegations of involvement in criminal activities in Canada and criticized Canada for allegedly supporting a separatist movement calling for a Sikh homeland.
The names of all leaders invited to the G7 summit have not been publicly disclosed by Global Affairs Canada, with spokesperson Camie Lamarche stating that the information will be released in due time. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged receiving an invitation but has not yet confirmed her attendance.
In recent years, G7 hosts have invited additional guests to the summit, with Canada inviting a dozen leaders when it last hosted in 2018. The upcoming summit is expected to continue this tradition of inviting multiple leaders from various countries to participate in discussions on global issues.
