G7 Invite to Modi Sparks Backlash Within Canada
Today, I want to talk about a major political storm brewing right here in Canada—a controversy that’s not only playing out on the national stage but also striking a deeply emotional chord within communities across the country. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, has ignited serious backlash—even from within his own Liberal Party. And it’s not hard to understand why.
Let’s rewind to 2023, when Canada publicly accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. It was a rare and serious accusation, and the shockwaves were immediate. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even stood up in the House of Commons and claimed that Canada had “credible evidence” linking Indian agents to the assassination. This wasn’t just political rhetoric—it was a diplomatic bombshell.
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Fast forward to now, and Prime Minister Carney is welcoming the very same Indian leader, Narendra Modi, to a gathering of the world’s most powerful democracies. For many, particularly members of the Sikh community in British Columbia like those represented by Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal, this move feels like a betrayal. Dhaliwal has gone on record saying his constituents are outraged, feeling like Canada is sending the message that foreign powers can commit violence here and face no consequences.
“It is sending the wrong message,” Dhaliwal said, adding that it’s not just Sikh Canadians who are upset—it’s Canadians from all walks of life. He plans to take this concern directly to Carney.
Now, from Carney’s side, the justification is that India—being the fifth-largest economy in the world—needs to be at the table when global issues like energy security and foreign interference are discussed. He’s emphasized that this invitation doesn’t undermine the RCMP’s ongoing investigation into Nijjar’s killing, and that law enforcement cooperation between Canada and India is continuing.
Still, the optics of this decision are hard to ignore. Is it pragmatic diplomacy, or is it turning a blind eye to justice? Some experts, like Vina Nadjibulla of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, argue that we’re in a new era of geopolitics, one where Canada must recalibrate its international relationships, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. But for many Canadians, especially those still grieving and demanding accountability for what happened in 2023, this G7 invitation feels like salt in the wound.
There’s no doubt this decision will shape not only Canada’s international image but also domestic trust in our government’s principles. The G7 Summit may be just days away, but its consequences—political, diplomatic, and emotional—will be felt for a long time to come.
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