OTTAWA — Sikh organizations in Ontario are calling on the federal government to withhold an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the upcoming G7 summit in Alberta, citing unresolved concerns over India’s alleged involvement in politically motivated violence on Canadian soil.
As host of the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit next month in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada is preparing to welcome heads of state from G7 nations—France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States—and the European Commission. Canada has also extended invitations to several non-G7 leaders, though not all names have been officially disclosed.
Confirmed invitees include Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Mexico’s newly elected President, Claudia Sheinbaum, has also acknowledged receiving an invitation.
However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a regular guest at G7 summits since 2019, has not been officially named as an invitee—and some advocacy groups hope it stays that way.
The Sikh Federation of Toronto and the World Sikh Organization of Canada are urging Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to reconsider its diplomatic overtures to India, especially in light of last year’s assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Ottawa has accused Indian officials of playing a direct role in the killing, a claim that has since soured bilateral relations.
“Until India substantially co-operates with criminal investigations in Canada, no invitation should be extended,” the Sikh Federation stated this week.
The groups argue that Canada is prioritizing economic relations over human rights and justice, especially after Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand recently described her May 25 meeting with her Indian counterpart as “productive” and focused on “advancing shared priorities.”
Critics contend such language signals a willingness to overlook serious allegations in favour of trade and geopolitical stability. India has repeatedly denied any involvement in Nijjar’s killing and claims Canada is harbouring Khalistani separatists—supporters of a Sikh homeland movement it considers a threat to its sovereignty.
Despite the tensions, Prime Minister Carney has spoken about the need for renewed trade efforts with India, calling for “mutual respect” and positioning India as a potential player in ending global trade conflicts.
Canada has yet to confirm whether Modi has been invited. Global Affairs Canada said the full list of invitees will be released “in due time.”
When Canada last hosted the G7 in 2018, it extended invitations to 12 non-member countries including Haiti, Norway, and Argentina. G7 summits typically include guest leaders from regions and economies the host wishes to engage.
India’s High Commission in Ottawa referred all questions to its foreign ministry in New Delhi, and has not responded to further inquiries on the matter.
As the summit draws nearer, pressure is mounting on Ottawa to clarify where it stands—on both human rights and diplomatic accountability.