Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the upcoming G7 summit in Alberta, scheduled to take place from June 15 to 17. Despite strained ties between the two countries, Modi has accepted the invitation.
The strained relations stem from the killing of Sikh Canadian activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in 2023, with Canada alleging Indian government agents were involved in the heinous act.
Carney emphasized the importance of India’s participation in the summit, citing its significant global role. “India is the fifth-largest economy in the world, the most populous country in the world and central to supply chains,” Carney stated. He also noted progress in law enforcement dialogue between the two countries. “I extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi and, in that context, he has accepted,” Carney added.
However, the invitation has sparked criticism from the World Sikh Organization of Canada. Balpreet Singh, the organization’s legal counsel and spokesperson, called the invitation a “betrayal of Canadian values.” Singh highlighted that the summit coincides with the anniversary of Nijjar’s assassination, making it “unacceptable” and “shocking.” He said.
Modi expressed his enthusiasm for the meeting, stating, “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.” Carney declined to comment on whether he believes Modi was involved in Nijjar’s killing, citing an ongoing legal process.
It’s worth noting that Canada isn’t the only country to accuse Indian officials of plotting assassinations on foreign soil. In 2023, US prosecutors alleged an Indian government official directed a failed plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader in New York. Four Indian nationals living in Canada have been charged with Nijjar’s murder on foreign soil.