Latest news with #SikhFederation
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sikh groups say Ottawa should not invite India's Modi to G7 summit
OTTAWA — Sikh organizations are calling on Ottawa to break with a five-year tradition by not inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit. Canada is hosting the G7 leaders' summit next month in Kananaskis, Alta. While the leaders of those G7 nations — France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States — are expected to attend, along with the president of the European Commission, Ottawa hasn't said which leaders it has invited from outside that core group of like-minded liberal democracies. The Canadian Press learned Friday that Canada has invited Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to attend the summit. Brazil's foreign ministry did not immediately say whether he has accepted the invitation. The South African high commission has told The Canadian Press that Ottawa also invited President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the summit. Ramaphosa, who is hosting the G20 summit this November in Johannesburg, has not said if he will attend. Canada has invited both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the summit; both have said they will attend. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this week that Canada had invited her nearly two weeks prior but she had not yet decided whether she'll attend. Modi has been invited to every G7 leaders' summit since 2019 and Canada and India have signalled recently a possible thaw in relations after months of tensions. But the Toronto-based Sikh Federation said this week that Canada should withhold any invitation "until India substantially co-operates with criminal investigations in Canada." They point to Canada's allegation that New Delhi played a role in the assassination of a Sikh activist near Vancouver in 2023, and in numerous other violent crimes. The Sikh Federation and the World Sikh Organization have expressed concerns about the federal Liberals seeking deeper ties with India. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said recently she had a "productive discussion" with her Indian counterpart on May 25 about "deepening our economic co-operation and advancing shared priorities." The Sikh groups argue this suggests the federal government is putting economic concerns ahead of human rights. The Liberals originally made India the focus of their Indo-Pacific strategy in late 2022, describing the country as a democratic nation with strong trade potential. That all changed after the June 2023 assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Months later, the government accused India of involvement in his death. The RCMP says it has evidence that New Delhi is behind numerous crimes targeting Sikh-Canadians. India claims Canada is enabling a separatist movement that calls for a Sikh homeland — Khalistan — to be carved out of India, and calls that a violation of its sovereignty. Ottawa has long held that it allows free speech that doesn't call for violence. Prime Minister Mark Carney said during the recent election campaign he wants to pursue trade with India. He said India could play a key role in ending the trade wars if it shows "mutual respect" in light of "strains on that relationship that we didn't cause." India's high commission referred an interview request on the bilateral relationship to the country's foreign ministry in New Delhi. Global Affairs Canada hasn't released the names of every leader Ottawa has invited to the summit. Department spokeswoman Camie Lamarche said the names will be "made available in due time." Since the April 28 federal election, Carney's office has published readouts of discussions with his counterparts from the G7 countries, along with Australia, Ukraine, Mexico, New Zealand, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway and Jordan. G7 hosts in recent years have invited four or more guests. Canada invited a dozen when it last hosted the summit in 2018, including Haiti, the Seychelles, Norway and Argentina. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Sikh groups say Ottawa should not invite Indian PM Modi to G7 summit
Sikh organizations are calling on Ottawa to break with a five-year tradition by not inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit. Canada is hosting the G7 leaders' summit next month in Kananaskis, Alta., with the leaders from those nations expected to attend — France, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, along with the president of the European Commission. But Ottawa has been tight-lipped on which leaders it has invited outside that core group of like-minded liberal democracies. The South African high commission told The Canadian Press that Canada invited President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the summit. Ramaphosa, who is hosting the G20 summit this November in Johannesburg, has not confirmed if he will attend. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on May 4 that Canada invited him to the summit and he will attend. Canada also has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend and he confirmed again this week he will be there. Modi has been invited to every G7 leaders' summit since 2019, and Canada and India have signalled recently a possible thaw in relations after months of tensions. But the Toronto-based Sikh Federation said this week that Canada should withhold any invitation "until India substantially co-operates with criminal investigations in Canada." They point to Canada's allegation that New Delhi played a role in the assassination of a Sikh activist near Vancouver in 2023, and in numerous other violent crimes. The Sikh Federation and the World Sikh Organization have expressed concerns about the federal Liberals seeking deeper ties with India. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said recently she had a "productive discussion" with her Indian counterpart on May 25 on "deepening our economic co-operation and advancing shared priorities." The Sikh groups argue this suggests the federal government is putting economic concerns ahead of human rights. The Liberals originally made India the focus of their Indo-Pacific strategy in late 2022, describing the country as a democratic nation with strong trade potential. That all changed after the June 2023 assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Months later, the government accused India of involvement in his death. The RCMP says it has evidence that New Delhi is behind numerous crimes targeting Sikh Canadians. India claims Canada is enabling a separatist movement that calls for a Sikh homeland — called Khalistan — to be carved out of India, and calls that a violation of its sovereignty. Ottawa has long held that it allows free speech that doesn't call for violence. Prime Minister Mark Carney said during the election campaign he wants to pursue trade with India. He said India could play a key role in ending the trade wars if it shows "mutual respect" in light of "strains on that relationship that we didn't cause." India's high commission referred an interview request on the bilateral relationship to the country's Foreign Ministry in New Delhi. Global Affairs Canada hasn't released the names of every leader Ottawa has invited to the G7 summit next month. Department spokesperson Camie Lamarche said the names would be "made available in due time." Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this week that Canada had invited her nearly two weeks prior but she had not yet decided whether she'll attend. Since the April 28 federal election, Carney's office has published readouts of discussions with his counterparts from the G7 countries, along with Australia, Ukraine, Mexico, New Zealand, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway and Jordan. G7 hosts in recent years have invited four or more guests. Canada invited a dozen when it last hosted the summit in 2018, including Haiti, the Seychelles, Norway and Argentina.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Sikh groups say Ottawa should not invite India's Modi to G7 summit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for a ceremonial reception for visiting Angolan President Joao Lourenco at the Indian presidential palace in New Delhi, India on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) OTTAWA — Sikh organizations are calling on Ottawa to break with a five-year tradition by not inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit. Canada is hosting the G7 leaders' summit next month in Kananaskis, Alta. with the leaders from those nations expected to attend — France, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, along with the president of the European Commission. But Ottawa has been tight-lipped on which leaders it has invited outside that core group of like-minded liberal democracies. The South African high commission told The Canadian Press Canada invited President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the summit. Ramaphosa, who is hosting the G20 summit this November in Johannesburg, has not confirmed if he will attend. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on May 4 that Canada invited him to the summit and he will attend. Canada also has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend and he confirmed again this week he will be there. Modi has been invited to every G7 leaders' summit since 2019 and Canada and India have signalled recently a possible thaw in relations after months of tensions. But the Toronto-based Sikh Federation said this week that Canada should withhold any invitation 'until India substantially co-operates with criminal investigations in Canada.' They point to Canada's allegation that New Delhi played a role in the assassination of a Sikh activist near Vancouver in 2023, and in numerous other violent crimes. The Sikh Federation and the World Sikh Organization have expressed concerns about the federal Liberals seeking deeper ties with India. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said recently she had a 'productive discussion' with her Indian counterpart on May 25 on 'deepening our economic co-operation and advancing shared priorities.' The Sikh groups argue this suggests the federal government is putting economic concerns ahead of human rights. The Liberals originally made India the focus of their Indo-Pacific strategy in late 2022, describing the country as a democratic nation with strong trade potential. That all changed after the June 2023 assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Months later, the government accused India of involvement in his death. The RCMP says it has evidence that New Delhi is behind numerous crimes targeting Sikh-Canadians. India claims Canada is enabling a separatist movement that calls for a Sikh homeland — called Khalistan — to be carved out of India, and calls that a violation of its sovereignty. Ottawa has long held that it allows free speech that doesn't call for violence. Prime Minister Mark Carney said during the election campaign he wants to pursue trade with India. He said India could play a key role in ending the trade wars if it shows 'mutual respect' in light of 'strains on that relationship that we didn't cause.' India's high commission referred an interview request on the bilateral relationship to the country's foreign ministry in New Delhi. Global Affairs Canada hasn't released the names of every leader Ottawa has invited to the G7 summit next month. Department spokeswoman Camie Lamarche said the names would be 'made available in due time.' Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this week that Canada had invited her nearly two weeks prior but she had not yet decided whether she'll attend. Since the April 28 federal election, Carney's office has published readouts of discussions with his counterparts from the G7 countries, along with Australia, Ukraine, Mexico, New Zealand, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway and Jordan. G7 hosts in recent years have invited four or more guests. Canada invited a dozen when it last hosted the summit in 2018, including Haiti, the Seychelles, Norway and Argentina. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Sikh groups say Ottawa should not invite India's Modi to G7 summit
OTTAWA – Sikh organizations are calling on Ottawa to break with a five-year tradition by not inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit. Canada is hosting the G7 leaders' summit next month in Kananaskis, Alta. with the leaders from those nations expected to attend — France, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, along with the president of the European Commission. But Ottawa has been tight-lipped on which leaders it has invited outside that core group of like-minded liberal democracies. The South African high commission told The Canadian Press Canada invited President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the summit. Ramaphosa, who is hosting the G20 summit this November in Johannesburg, has not confirmed if he will attend. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on May 4 that Canada invited him to the summit and he will attend. Canada also has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend and he confirmed again this week he will be there. Modi has been invited to every G7 leaders' summit since 2019 and Canada and India have signalled recently a possible thaw in relations after months of tensions. But the Toronto-based Sikh Federation said this week that Canada should withhold any invitation 'until India substantially co-operates with criminal investigations in Canada.' They point to Canada's allegation that New Delhi played a role in the assassination of a Sikh activist near Vancouver in 2023, and in numerous other violent crimes. The Sikh Federation and the World Sikh Organization have expressed concerns about the federal Liberals seeking deeper ties with India. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said recently she had a 'productive discussion' with her Indian counterpart on May 25 on 'deepening our economic co-operation and advancing shared priorities.' The Sikh groups argue this suggests the federal government is putting economic concerns ahead of human rights. The Liberals originally made India the focus of their Indo-Pacific strategy in late 2022, describing the country as a democratic nation with strong trade potential. That all changed after the June 2023 assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Months later, the government accused India of involvement in his death. The RCMP says it has evidence that New Delhi is behind numerous crimes targeting Sikh-Canadians. India claims Canada is enabling a separatist movement that calls for a Sikh homeland — called Khalistan — to be carved out of India, and calls that a violation of its sovereignty. Ottawa has long held that it allows free speech that doesn't call for violence. Prime Minister Mark Carney said during the election campaign he wants to pursue trade with India. He said India could play a key role in ending the trade wars if it shows 'mutual respect' in light of 'strains on that relationship that we didn't cause.' India's high commission referred an interview request on the bilateral relationship to the country's foreign ministry in New Delhi. Global Affairs Canada hasn't released the names of every leader Ottawa has invited to the G7 summit next month. Department spokeswoman Camie Lamarche said the names would be 'made available in due time.' Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this week that Canada had invited her nearly two weeks prior but she had not yet decided whether she'll attend. Since the April 28 federal election, Carney's office has published readouts of discussions with his counterparts from the G7 countries, along with Australia, Ukraine, Mexico, New Zealand, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway and Jordan. G7 hosts in recent years have invited four or more guests. Canada invited a dozen when it last hosted the summit in 2018, including Haiti, the Seychelles, Norway and Argentina. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
Sky News
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
More than 400 Sikh groups call on Starmer to launch 'promised' inquiry on Golden Temple massacre
More than 400 Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations are calling on Sir Keir Starmer to launch an inquiry he promised into potential British involvement in the Golden Temple Massacre. The groups have signed a letter that was sent to the prime minister urging him to follow through on a commitment made in 2022. The calls relate to questions around what part the UK and British special forces played in the 1984 killings, in which hundreds of Sikhs died after the Indian military entered the temple complex where separatists had sought refuge. In 2014, the UK government accidentally revealed Margaret Thatcher was aware of the Indian state's intention to raid the temple and in the months before the raid, a British SAS officer provided advice to the Indian government. A subsequent investigation commissioned by David Cameron found that a single officer provided advice - and there was "no evidence of UK government involvement in the operation itself". However, this investigation was criticised as a cover-up due to its limited scope and quick timeframe. In 2022, Sir Keir wrote to all Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations, saying: "A future Labour government will open an independent inquiry into Britain's military role in the Indian army's 1984 raid on the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is important that we are open, transparent and above reproach in understanding any role the UK may have played in such events. "This is something I know is important to our Sikh communities here and throughout the world." However, an announcement on the inquiry is yet to materialise. In the letter sent to the prime minister by the Sikh Federation, seen by Sky News, Sir Keir is told: "If what is eventually proposed by a Labour government fails to deliver the 'truth' as promised by you this will have massive political ramifications for the Sikh community's support for Labour in future elections for many generations." The federation says an inquiry "must" be announced by 31 May. In a letter to Labour MPs, the Sikh Federation also called on them to put pressure on the government to start an inquiry. The organisation also said it had heard "extremely worrying rumours" that the Foreign, Commonwealth And Development Office has been under pressure from the Indian government to "avoid or limit" an independent inquiry. It added: "Civil servants are understood to be advising that a public inquiry is expensive and could damage relations with India." The UK is currently trying to negotiate a new trade agreement with India in the wake of Brexit. Attempts by the Conservative government failed due to a difference in position over visas. There is a campaign among some in the Sikh community for an independent nation to be established - known as Khalistan - out of parts of the Punjab region in northern India. These efforts are strongly opposed by Narendra Modhi's Hindu nationalist BJP movement.
