Baku: An international conference titled "Racism and Violence Against Sikhs and Other National Minorities in India: The Reality on the Ground" has concluded in Baku, highlighting the Indian government's policies toward ethnic minorities. The event, organized by the Baku Initiative Group, marked the first time such a conference was held in Azerbaijan. A significant outcome of the conference was the signing of a document between the Baku Initiative Group and the Sikh Federation, urging the international community to take action against violence targeting Sikhs.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the conference was attended by Ramesh Singh Arora, the Minister for Human Rights and Minorities of India's Punjab state, along with other officials and noted Sikh community representatives from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Participants included heads of think tanks, scholars specializing in human rights and ethnic minority issues, and individuals who have personally experienced what were described as the Indian government's repressive and discriminatory policies.

The discussions at the conference centered on the Indian government's systematic racial discrimination, violence, and repression against Sikhs and other ethnic minorities. It was noted that these actions constitute significant violations of India's obligations under international agreements such as the UN's "International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights," the "International Convention against Racism," and the "Convention against Torture" concerning ethnic minorities.