As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to Canada in a decade to attend the G7 Summit in Alberta, members of Canada’s Sikh community staged a protest in Calgary, expressing outrage over his presence and the Canadian government’s decision to invite him without setting preconditions.
A small but vocal group of protesters gathered in downtown Calgary on Tuesday, tearing Indian flags and denouncing Modi’s government, which they accuse of involvement in the 2023 assassination of Canadian Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The killing, which led to a diplomatic crisis, resulted in Canada expelling six Indian diplomats. Four individuals have since been charged with Nijjar’s murder.
Despite the protests, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Modi held what they described as a “productive” bilateral meeting. Carney welcomed Modi warmly, and the two agreed to restore diplomatic ties by appointing new high commissioners. Official statements emphasized shared values like democracy, rule of law, and mutual respect—without directly referencing the controversy.
Carney said India’s inclusion at the G7 was based on its importance to global supply chains, while Modi described the talks as “excellent,” citing shared commitments to democracy and freedom.
Canada is home to the world’s largest Sikh population outside of India, and many community members remain critical of the Modi government’s human rights record and its stance on Sikh activism abroad. Critics argue that Canada should have demanded accountability and transparency regarding the Nijjar case before extending an invitation to the Indian leader.
The Modi-Carney meeting signals a step toward diplomatic normalization, but for many in the Sikh diaspora, reconciliation without justice remains incomplete.