Ontario, Canada: A broad coalition of rights groups, academics, political leaders, and community organizations has issued a strong call to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to hold Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian officials accountable for what they describe as a campaign of transnational repression targeting Sikhs in Canada.

In a joint letter dated June 17, the signatories expressed alarm over Canada’s decision to host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis. They called the move “a grave threat to the rule of law, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the integrity of Canadian institutions.”

The letter referenced the June 18, 2023 assassination of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, BC, stating: “Bhai Hardeep Singh’s assassination was part of a coordinated campaign of transnational repression that continues to violate Canadian sovereignty to this day.” It added that “Sikhs across the country are still receiving warnings from intelligence agencies about active threats to their lives due to their religious identity and political beliefs.”

“To now host Narendra Modi, less than two years after this act of violence without any accountability from India, is reprehensible,” the letter stated. “It sends an unequivocally clear message: the safety, dignity, and rights of Sikhs in Canada are expendable.”

The letter urged the Canadian government to take specific actions, including launching an independent public inquiry into Indian operations in Canada, suspending intelligence cooperation with India, and making a public commitment to justice and accountability for Indian interference and violence on Canadian soil.

Prominent signatories include Alex Neve (Senior Fellow, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs), CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn, NDP MP and Foreign Affairs Critic Heather McPherson, Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, and acclaimed author Rupi Kaur. Supporting organizations include the World Sikh Organization of Canada, British Columbia Gurdwaras Council, Ontario Gurdwaras Committee, Sikh Federation (Canada), Justice For All Canada, Broadbent Institute, Kashmir Civitas, and others representing Sikh, Dalit, Muslim, and broader civil society groups.

In a separate letter to G7 leaders, Human Rights Watch (HRW) also raised concerns about India’s targeting of Sikh activists abroad. HRW wrote, “The government of India has yet to properly address allegations of its role in the killing of a Sikh activist and Canadian citizen… as well as threats against the Indian diaspora in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.” The organization urged G7 countries to “speak out and condemn all cases of transnational repression” and adopt measures “to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.”

HRW’s letter also addressed other global human rights concerns, such as the situations in Ukraine and Gaza, while emphasizing the need for consistent enforcement of international humanitarian law.

Both letters reflect mounting international pressure on the Canadian government to respond more decisively to India’s alleged extraterritorial targeting of the Sikhs, especially in light of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in this year’s G7 Summit.