Renewed Indo-Canada ties concern protesters on anniversary of Nijjar killing
VANCOUVER – Protesters marking the second anniversary of the killing of B.C. Sikh community leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar say they're concerned about the renewal of Canada's relations with India, whose agents police have linked to the shooting.
Sikh Federation Canada spokesman Moninder Singh says it was 'frustrating' to see Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the G7 meeting in Alberta this week, where he met Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Canada and India agreed to designate new high commissioners and restore regular diplomatic services to citizens after the meeting.
Singh, who was among protesters outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver, says India is a 'major player' in foreign interference.
He says he and other Sikh activists have been warned by Canadian law enforcement about a danger of 'imminent assassination,' and Modi's presence is particularly concerning for those under threat of state-sponsored violence.
RCMP have said there's credible evidence linking the 2023 killing of Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., to agents of the Indian government.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service said Wednesday in its annual report that Indian officials and their proxy agents in Canada continue to engage in a range of activities that seek to influence Canadian communities and politicians.
Singh says Canada should hold a public inquiry solely focused on India in light of Nijjar's assassination, as well as ongoing extortion and violent threats against South Asian communities in B.C., Ontario and elsewhere.
Protesters on Wednesday waved flags and shouted slogans in support of Khalistan, a separatist Sikh state that they want created in India.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2025.
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The report adds that the re-election of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will mean India's political course will continue to follow the Hindu-nationalist policy agenda implemented since Modi was first elected in 2014. 'Modi and his core ministers and advisers are keen to build India's global influence and counter any activity they consider as 'anti-India,' at home or abroad, in the name of domestic stability and prosperity,' the CSIS report says. 'With that considered, there is a long history of India arguing that Canada is a haven for 'anti-India' activity, with the separatist Khalistan movement being a particular focus of India's concern, which is rooted in the aftermath of the 1985 Air India bombing and subsequent terrorist activity in India.' The report, which was tabled in the House of Commons on June 13, comes as Canada renews diplomatic ties with India following Prime Minister Mark Carney's meeting with Modi at the G7 in Kananaskis, Alta., on Tuesday. 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