• Canada's Sikh community protests against PM Modi's G7 invitation.
• Security threats against Sikhs in Canada have heightened tensions.
• Former PM Trudeau accused India of involvement in a Sikh leader's murder.
• Modi's visit coincides with strained Indo-Canadian relations.
• Canadian PM Mark Carney's invitation seen as prioritizing economic ties.

Members of Canada’s Sikh community are expressing outrage over Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G7 summit in Alberta. This invitation comes despite prolonged security threats against Sikhs in Canada, which activists allege are linked to the Indian government. Sikh activist Moninder Singh conveyed the feelings of community members, stating, "'Outrage' is the kind of term that I've heard from people," regarding Modi’s invitation, emphasizing the profound disappointment felt within the community, especially in the wake of recent violence and threats against them, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Dawn.

The invitation has sparked significant protest plans in Ottawa, where Sikh leaders, including Singh, are preparing to voice their concerns. This invitation marks Modi's first visit to Canada in a decade and presents a diplomatic challenge for Carney, who is attempting to navigate the complex relationship between Canada and India. The relationship has soured following accusations from former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who in 2023 alleged Indian involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

Amid these tensions, Modi’s government has denied any involvement in Nijjar's death and has accused Canada of harboring Sikh separatists. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have reported receiving over a dozen threats against community members advocating for a Sikh homeland, illustrating the significant safety concerns facing these individuals in Canada. Singh articulated a sentiment shared by many, stating, “On a personal level, and on a community level, as well, it was deeply insulting … Sikh lives aren’t as important as the fifth-largest economy in the world that needs to be at the table,” highlighting the emotional toll of the ongoing situation, according to Dawn and Reuters.

Carney's rationale for inviting Modi centers on the importance of India in global supply chains, alongside ongoing trade tensions with the United States. However, some activists and political figures have criticized this decision as prioritizing economic interests over human rights concerns, signaling a potential conflict in Canadian policy. Sanjay Ruparelia, a politics professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, defended Carney's approach, stating it reflects a pragmatic decision amidst complex geopolitical realities, according to South China Morning Post and Dawn.