Warm welcome to Akali Delegation by Friends of Canada India Foundation in Surrey
Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP Government can take Punjab towards development and growth : Gill
Babushahi Network
Surrey, Canada, June 14, 2026 – A delegation of senior leaders from the panthic political party, Shiromani Akali Dal, arrived in Surrey on Friday evening. The delegation, comprising Akali leaders Barjinder Singh Makhan Brar, Parmjit Singh Dhillon, Gurpreet Singh Jhabbar, Satwinder Pal Singh Dhatt, Harjaap Singh Sangha, Jaspreet Singh Mahla, and Advocate Rajkanwar Singh, received a warm welcome from the prominent diaspora organization Friends of Canada and India Foundation.
To mark the occasion, the Foundation hosted a grand dinner reception attended by two Members of Parliament from the governing Liberal Party, Sukh Dhaliwal and Gurbux Saini.
Speaking at the event, Foundation President Maninder Singh Gill welcomed the visiting Akali leaders and noted that during its 106-year history, the Shiromani Akali Dal has endured many challenges and setbacks, yet has always emerged stronger while continuing to serve the interests of Punjab and the Sikh Panth.
He stated that the growing public support being witnessed in Punjab after a brief period of difficulty demonstrates that the Akali Dal is poised for a strong comeback in the 2027 elections and will once again work for the progress and well-being of both Punjab and the Panth. Gill further remarked that for the resurgence of the Panth and the party, it is important that party president Sukhbir Singh Badal personally reach out to estranged Akali leaders, following the example set by Parkash Singh Badal, by visiting them and reconciling differences. Only then, he said, can the Shiromani Akali Dal regain its former strength.
Gill emphasized that the diaspora community remains firmly supportive of the Akali Dal and BJP government and noted that since 1984, the Foundation has consistently welcomed senior Akali and BJP leadership to Canada with open arms. Only a double engine government of Akali BJP under the leadership of S. Sukhbir Singh Badal at Chandigarh and Sh. Narendra Modi at Delhi can take Punjab towards development and growth.
Representing the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Gurpreet Singh Jhabbar stated that there is a concerted effort underway to malign and weaken the SGPC. He noted that, beyond managing Sikh gurdwaras effectively, the organization has made significant contributions to education and healthcare, establishing major institutions that have benefited both the Sikh community and Punjab.
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Members of Parliament Sukh Dhaliwal and Gurbux Saini also welcomed the delegation to Canada and participated in discussions with the visiting leaders.
Serving as master of ceremonies, Foundation Vice-President and Barrister Lovleen Singh Gill highlighted the contributions of the overseas Punjabi community toward their ancestral homeland of Punjab.
Among those present were Foundation directors Boota Singh Dhillon, Balbir Singh Padda, Manjit Singh Bahuguna, and Pritpal Singh Waraich. Kulwant Singh Dhesi, owner of Radio Swift; realtor Shabba Hundal; businessman Parmjit Singh Khosla; radio host Jasbir Singh Romana; renowned folk singer and senior Akali leader from Nakodar K.S. Makhan; along with leaders and workers of the Canada unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal were also present.
Earlier in the day, the Akali delegation paid obeisance at Khalsa Diwan Society, where they were formally welcomed by the gurdwara management committee and presented with siropaos (robes of honour).