“If we believed that the government of India was actively interfering in the Canadian democratic process, we probably wouldn’t be taking this trip,” the official also added.

Those comments only angered members of the Sikh community, whose leaders had already warned that Carney’s re-engagement with India sent the wrong message to pro-Khalistan activists who they say remain targeted.

Carney and Modi will meet as both countries expect to release a series of agreements related to bolstering trade and Canada’s energy exports to India, as well as a deal on artificial intelligence.