OTTAWA
— A Liberal MP says he intends to boost considerations to Prime Minister Mark Carney concerning the resolution to ask India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Canada as a part of a gathering of G7 leaders later this month.
Sukh Dhaliwal represents
the Surrey, B.C., using the place Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed exterior of a temple in June 2023, and whose demise Canada has linked to the Indian authorities.
Dhaliwal says he has acquired dozens of calls and greater than 100 emails from constituents expressing concern about Modi’s plans to attend the upcoming G7 summit in Alberta, at Carney’s invitation.
“They’re frightened. They’re frightened about their security, they’re involved concerning the justice in Mr. Nijjar’s case, as properly,” he advised
Nationwide Publish
in an interview late Friday.
Former prime minister Justin Trudeau advised the Home of Commons in September 2023 that Canada had “credible allegations” that brokers appearing on behalf of the Indian authorities had been concerned Nijjar’s demise.
Final fall, the RCMP stated it additionally had proof linking Modi’s authorities to violence unfolding in Canada, together with organized crime and murders.
Dhaliwal stated he has heard different Liberal MPs additionally specific concern about Modi’s upcoming go to, however declined to reveal particulars to guard their privateness.
He stated he intends to boost the considerations he has been listening to from constituents with Carney or his crew, and can be in Ottawa subsequent week for the continued sitting of Parliament.
“He’s prepared to speak,”
Dhaliwal stated of the prime minister.
“He’s prepared to take heed to his MPs, that’s what he has promised as a result of he has all the time stated that he’s within the voice from the grassroots, not the message coming from the highest to the grassroots.”
“I’ll definitely increase this with him or his crew.”
A press release from Carney’s workplace in response to questions from
Nationwide Publish
didn’t immediately handle Dhaliwal’s considerations, however stated “Canada’s sovereignty and nationwide safety is paramount.”
“As Prime Minister of the fifth largest financial system and the world’s most populous nation, Prime Minister Modi was invited to take part in these essential discussions,” the assertion reads.
Carney additionally defended his resolution to ask Modi to the G7 at a Friday press convention earlier within the day, saying India was central to provide chains. He stated he mentioned the matter with different G7 international locations.
Modi stated on social media that “I
ndia and Canada will work along with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared pursuits.”
Conservative Chief Pierre Poilievre backed the choice for Modi to attend, saying Canada must work with India on safety and commerce.
In the meantime, the World Sikh Group, which advocates for Sikh Canadians, denounced the choice, with its authorized counsel, Balpreet Singh, saying it quantities to a “betrayal.”
4 Indian nationals have been charged in Nijjar’s demise.
India
has denied the accusation Canada made about having any involvement in his killing.
It had thought of Nijjar to be a terrorist. Nijjar was a distinguished activist within the Khalistan motion, which has pushed to ascertain a separate Sikh state in India’s Punjab province.
Carney declined to say on Friday whether or not he believed Modi was concerned in Nijjar’s assassination, saying it will be inappropriate for him to touch upon the matter given the truth that authorized proceedings had been underway.
Dhaliwal stated he doesn’t help the choice to have Modi in Canada, however believes he ought to provide a “dedication that his authorities or his brokers of India, won’t ever, ever intervene into the lives of Canadians.”
India’s prime minister must also conform to “full cooperation” within the investigation into Niijar’s demise.
Final fall, Canada and India expelled one another’s diplomats after citing RCMP proof linking Indian authorities brokers to crimes in Canada.
Canada had requested that India waive diplomatic immunity to permit police to analyze, which the federal authorities stated didn’t occur.
Carney stated on Friday that he and Modi of their current cellphone name, agreed to
“legislation enforcement to legislation enforcement dialogue. He additionally famous that
“some progress” had been made on problems with “accountability.”
Dhaliwal stated the RCMP has been clear in its considerations concerning the hyperlinks between the Indian authorities and violent crimes happening in Canada.
He additionally pointed to Justice Marie-Josée Hogue’s report into overseas interference that named India as one of many high international locations trying to meddle in Canada’s democratic course of.
The invitation to Modi touches on the rule of legislation and basic rights, he added.
“We can’t sacrifice these values.”
Nationwide Publish
staylor@postmedia.com
Mark Carney defends inviting Modi to G7, prompting shock from Sikh group
Carney ready to sit down over the summer time to cross new invoice to fast-track main tasks
Get extra deep-dive Nationwide Publish political protection and evaluation in your inbox with the Political Hack e-newsletter, the place Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what’s actually happening behind the scenes on Parliament Hill each Wednesday and Friday, solely for subscribers. Join right here.
Our web site is the place for the most recent breaking information, unique scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and join our day by day e-newsletter, Posted, right here.
