Carney facing some Liberal pushback over Modi's invitation to G7 summit

John Paul Tasker · CBC News

· Posted: Jun 11, 2025 12:47 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hr ago

Prime Minister Mark Carney is facing immoderate pushback from his caucus implicit Canada's determination to invitation the Indian premier curate to the G7 gathering successful Alberta adjacent week, with 1 Sikh MP saying it's a "bad idea."

B.C. MP Sukh Dhaliwal told reporters helium met with Carney aboriginal Wednesday to explicit what helium says are constituents' frustrations with the determination to include Narendra Modi. Canadian constabulary person alleged Indian agents were involved in the sidesplitting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Canadian Khalistani separatist who was gunned down successful B.C. successful 2023.

Nijjar and others in that question person been calling for an autarkic Sikh homeland successful bluish India called Khalistan, which Modi's authorities has vigorously opposed and denounced arsenic a nationalist information threat.

"The RCMP has intelligibly stated there's credible grounds Indian agents were progressive successful the assassination of a Canadian national connected Canadian soil," Dhaliwal said of Nijjar. "It's a atrocious idea" to see Modi successful this high-profile get-together, helium said.

WATCH | Modi coming is simply a 'bad idea,' Dhaliwal says: 

Dhaliwal said Carney is "alarmed" by the Nijjar lawsuit and taking earnestly what would beryllium an egregious usurpation of Canadian sovereignty. Canada expelled immoderate Indian diplomats after the allegations were made public.

A constabulary probe into alleged Indian engagement is ongoing but the authorities has already said determination are "linkages" betwixt the four Indian nationals arrested and charged with Nijjar's execution and the Indian government.

Dhaliwal said Carney is "very strong" connected the contented and volition correspond Sikh concerns astir Indian interference and transnational crime erstwhile speaking to Modi.

"I'm saying it's not a bully idea, but present he's invited. We person to determination forward," helium said.

'Our authorities needs to instrumentality a steadfast stand'

Another Liberal B.C. MP, Gurbux Saini, said his voters are "concerned."

"What is happening is incorrect and our authorities needs to instrumentality a steadfast stand," helium said of India's alleged actions.

Beyond the Nijjar killing, the Foreign Interference Commission's last report besides identified India arsenic a apical meddler successful Canadian affairs.

The committee reviewed quality suggesting Indian-aligned proxies whitethorn person clandestinely provided fiscal enactment to assorted Canadian politicians to effort and get much pro-Indian candidates elected.

The study besides recovered that India has utilized "disinformation" to further its goals successful Canada.

Liberal MP Karina Gould, a past furniture curate and enactment contender, said quality rights should beryllium connected the docket erstwhile Carney meets with Modi and if different arguable G7 invitee, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also decides to attend. Bin Salman has been tied to the sidesplitting of Saudi dissident and writer Jamal Khashoggi.

"I recognize wherefore they were invited. Part of diplomacy is having these conversations — you don't unopen the doorway to them," Gould said. "But we're besides lasting up for values that are important to Canadians."

The propulsion to diversify the system is wherefore different Liberal MPs were deferential to Carney and his determination to see Modi. 

Canada is facing an economical "crisis" with U.S. relations astatine a debased point, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu said, and Canada needs to "collaborate" and "work retired immoderate of the issues" with India.

"I deliberation the G7 is an important avenue for the premier curate to sermon immoderate economical collaboration," Sidhu said.

MP Yasir Naqvi, the parliamentary caput to Sidhu, said "there's nary excuse for the precise superior allegations astir extrajudicial killings," but the Carney and Modi face-to-face is simply a accidental for Canada to request India's co-operation with the ongoing Canadian constabulary probe and to "engage" connected the larger issue.

"This lone happens if there's a narration betwixt our governments," Naqvi said. 

WATCH | Conservative person connected Modi's invitation: 

And, arsenic Carney looks to lessen Canada's dependence connected the U.S., determination are "opportunities" for Canadian businesses successful India, Naqvi said. 

"Canada is trying to unfastened the doorway connected relationships and say, 'We request to diversify our commercialized vastly,'" added MP Rob Oliphant, the parliamentary caput to the curate of overseas affairs.

"The connection to the satellite is Canada is simply a vibrant trading partner."

Meanwhile, NDP MP Heather McPherson said Modi's inclusion is "deeply alarming."