Azerbaijan's BIG, Sikh Federation to ink memorandum on cooperation

The Baku Initiative Group (BIG) and the International Sikh Federation will sign a memorandum of bilateral cooperation, according to BIG Executive Director Abbas Abbasov.

Speaking to reporters, Abbasov said BIG has decided to strengthen the protection of ethnic minority rights through institutional and documented mechanisms, including the forthcoming memorandum. He noted that the organisation began cooperating with representatives of the Sikh community in 2025, Caliber.Az reports. 

He further stated that in 2026, initial contacts were established with representatives of the Dalit community, which he said numbers approximately 320 million people.

Abbasov also emphasised that in July, the group intends to announce joint projects with Dalits, who, he said, have faced repression and discrimination by the Indian government for many years.

The international conference titled “Amritsar June 1984: Transnational Repression as an Extension of Genocide,” focused on examining the Indian government’s policies toward ethnic minorities and their consequences, has begun in Baku. 

The event brings together Sikhs, as well as representatives of the Dalit community, who are participating in the conference for the first time. 

By Sabina Mammadli