Ottawa’s invitation to India’s PM Modi for the G7 Summit draws backlash from Sikh Canadians amid lingering outrage over the 2023 Nijjar assassination.
Ottawa’s G7 Invite to Modi Reopens Diplomatic and Domestic Wounds
The federal government is facing a growing backlash from Canada’s Sikh community after Prime Minister Mark Carney extended an official G7 Summit invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, rekindling tensions tied to the unsolved 2023 killing of B.C. Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The invitation, confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office on June 5, has been framed by Ottawa as a diplomatic overture toward restoring dialogue with India. But for many in Canada’s Sikh diaspora, it’s a move that undermines domestic concerns about justice and accountability.
Timing of Invitation Sparks Outrage
The controversy centres not only on who was invited—but when. Nijjar, a prominent advocate for Khalistan, was gunned down outside a gurdwara in Surrey two years ago this month. The RCMP has yet to make an arrest, but Canadian intelligence agencies publicly linked the killing to Indian government operatives, triggering a diplomatic crisis and reciprocal expulsions of diplomats.
For groups like the World Sikh Organization of Canada, the timing of the Modi invitation is seen as a betrayal. “This sends a chilling message to Canadian Sikhs that our government is willing to overlook acts of political violence on Canadian soil,” said WSO President Tejinder Singh Sidhu in a public statement.
Carney Defends Strategic Engagement
Facing mounting criticism, Prime Minister Carney defended the invitation, describing India as an “essential partner” on global issues ranging from energy security to AI governance and critical minerals. “We can disagree strongly on certain matters and still choose to engage in the interest of global stability,” Carney told reporters in Ottawa.
Government sources indicated that the invitation is also a signal of Ottawa’s intention to de-escalate bilateral tensions that have stifled cooperation on trade, education, and immigration since 2023.
Modi Accepts, Signalling Diplomatic Reset
Indian media confirmed this week that Prime Minister Modi has accepted the invitation and will attend the G7 Summit, scheduled for June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta. His attendance will mark the first visit to Canada by an Indian head of government since the diplomatic freeze began nearly two years ago.
Foreign affairs analysts see this as a calculated move by both nations. “It’s not about forgetting what happened—it’s about re-engaging with eyes open,” said Ramesh Patel, a senior fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs.
Summit Security and Political Fallout
In light of the uproar, federal security agencies are preparing for potential demonstrations during the summit. Activist groups in Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary have already announced plans for coordinated protests.
Opposition MPs have called for Carney to clarify whether human rights will be on the agenda during Modi’s visit. “We cannot compartmentalize justice for Nijjar while entertaining his alleged aggressors on Canadian soil,” said NDP foreign affairs critic Jagmeet Singh.
A Risky Balancing Act for Canada
As host of this year’s G7, Canada is under pressure to preserve cohesion among the world’s leading democracies, particularly on urgent files like Ukraine, climate finance, and AI ethics. But with Modi’s invitation, Ottawa has now added a layer of domestic complexity to an already high-stakes summit.
Whether the G7 gathering leads to renewed trust—or deeper division—remains to be seen.
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