Ottawa, Canada: The Sikh Federation (Canada) has strongly condemned the upcoming visit of India’s Foreign Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, calling it “grossly inappropriate” and “unacceptable” given India’s “documented violence against Sikhs across Canada and its ongoing campaign of transnational repression.”

The visit, scheduled for November 11–12, has sparked frustration among Sikhs nationwide, who say Canada’s invitation to the Indian representative “signals that Ottawa continues to prioritize economic trade over justice,” leaving Sikh Canadians “exposed as they continue to face threats to their lives.”

Referring to Jaishankar’s remarks following the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Sikh Federation Canada noted that the Indian minister had “openly threatened Sikhs and taunted the Government of Canada,” warning that “if there are activities which are permitted from Canada that impinge on our sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, then we will have to respond.” The statement described this as a “chilling remark” echoing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim that his “new” India “doesn’t send dossiers, but goes into the homes of its enemies and kills them.”

According to the Federation, these statements “frame extrajudicial killings and transnational repression as conscious policy decisions.” Despite this, the group said, “Canada has chosen to extend an invitation to Minister Jaishankar,” stressing that “India is not a member of the G7, and therefore his presence at this gathering was not mandatory.” The Sikh Federation Canada argued that the invitation “goes above and beyond diplomatic necessity, and in the current climate, it places Canadian lives at risk.”

Citing evidence from “Canada’s own intelligence agencies, parliamentary committees, and recent news reports,” the Sikh Federation asserted that “senior government officials orchestrate the surveillance and violence against Sikhs across the country in coordinated violent operations.”

Moninder Singh, National Spokesperson for the Sikh Federation (Canada), stated:

“The Indian government’s violence against the Sikh community continues today through a nexus of Indian gangs. Rather than demonstrating accountability, Jaishankar’s newest High Commissioner to Canada still refuses to take any responsibility for Indian violence, alleging that it is a ‘Canadian problem.’”

He further warned that “in the absence of any public accountability for India’s violent attacks on the Sikh community and without a shred of transparency on how Canada continues to respond, this week’s engagements with Indian officials normalize impunity and undermine public trust in the Government of Canada.”

Moninder Singh emphasized, “Engagement must follow public accountability and transparency, not precede it.”

The Federation reiterated calls for Canada to “take serious steps to demonstrate a commitment to holding the perpetrators of violence accountable,” and to “condition the restoration of diplomatic or economic ties on accountability and reforms by India.” It urged that “the future course of the Canada-India relationship be developed transparently in consultation with Canadians.”

Among the specific measures proposed, the Sikh Federation called for:

1. An independent public inquiry “at the earliest possible time to review the circumstances leading to Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s assassination and any other coercive or violent activity linked to agents of the Government of India.”

2. Completion of the Standing Committee study on “electoral interference and criminal activities in Canada by agents of the Government of India,” initiated in October 2024 but interrupted by elections.

3. A comprehensive study by Parliament’s Subcommittee on International Human Rights to examine “the Human Rights Situation in India,” ensuring that “any prospective engagement or trade talks with India” are “contingent on India’s cooperation with ongoing criminal investigations” and “informed by broad engagement with civil society and community organizations in both India and Canada.”

The statement concluded by asserting that only “public accountability and transparency” can form the basis for future engagement between Canada and India.