CHANDIGARH, October 17: Pro-Khalistan organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has announced a referendum event in Edmonton, Alberta, on October 18. The announcement comes as India and Canada pursue closer cooperation in trade, energy, technology and security.

Led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, SFJ has organised similar events previously. The organisation, which is banned in India, has announced its latest event amid renewed diplomatic and economic engagement between the two countries.

Reports have also discussed the event against the backdrop of a prospective province-wide referendum in Alberta in 2026. That proposed vote is expected to ask whether Alberta should remain part of Canada or begin a legal process that could eventually lead to separation.

India and Canada seek stronger economic ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have agreed to deepen a strategic partnership covering trade, energy, technology, security and people-to-people ties.

Meanwhile, more than 300 business representatives are visiting India as part of a Canadian delegation led by International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. Described as Canada’s largest trade mission to India in more than three decades, the delegation is visiting Mumbai and Bengaluru from October 12 to 17.

The mission aims to expand commercial ties and advance Canada’s goal of more than doubling bilateral trade with India by 2030.

Economic partnership negotiations continue

Priority sectors under the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) include aerospace, clean energy, technology, life sciences, agri-food and forestry.

In a post on X, Sidhu said the Team Canada Trade Mission seeks to build new partnerships and create opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses. He also highlighted ongoing CEPA negotiations, which both countries aim to conclude by the end of 2026.

Canada has set a target of increasing bilateral trade with India to US$70 billion by 2030, compared with approximately US$30 billion currently. According to Canadian government figures cited in the reports, bilateral trade reached US$30.4 billion in 2025, including US$11 billion in goods.

Energy and critical minerals among cooperation priorities

The countries are seeking broader cooperation in manufacturing, technology, energy and agriculture. The fifth round of CEPA negotiations began in Ottawa earlier this month, with energy, critical minerals and aerospace emerging as key areas of cooperation.

The negotiations followed earlier discussions between Sidhu and Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on the sidelines of a G20 trade ministers’ meeting.

Nijjar killing strained bilateral relations

Relations between India and Canada deteriorated following the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. Tensions deepened after then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing. Those allegations are not presented here as established findings.

SFJ’s planned Edmonton event comes as the two governments work to expand commercial engagement and strategic cooperation.

Report: Mangat Singh Saidpur