In a first for the Punjabi diaspora, four individuals of Punjabi origin have been appointed to high-ranking positions in Canada's new federal cabinet led by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Among them is Randeep Singh Sarai, who is appointed as Secretary of State for International Development.
Sarai is the Surrey Centre riding member. His parents are from Punjab, India, Sarai Khas village.
Although he was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, his parents immigrated from Sarai Khas, establishing his connection to the region.
Sarai Khas is a village located approximately 14 kilometers north of Jalandhar city, near Kartarpur, and just half a mile south of the Grand Trunk Road. The village has a population of around 7,000 residents, many of whom are engaged in farming. Notably, Sarai Khas has a history of its residents emigrating abroad, particularly to countries like Canada, the UK, and the US.
Political career of Sarai
Randeep Singh Sarai was elected Surrey-Centre Member of Parliament on October 19, 2015. He previously served as a member of the Citizenship and Immigration Committee and the Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Association. Sarai was previously the chair of the Liberal Party Pacific caucus but has since stepped down and is now co-chair of the Canada-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Finally, on 13 May 2025, Sarai was appointed Secretary of State (International Development) to the cabinet of Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Sarai extended gratitude towards PM Mark Carney
“Thank you to Prime Minister Mark Carney for the confidence he’s placed in me. It’s time to build with purpose, partnership, and a clear vision for Canada’s role in the world.” Sarai posted on SpaceX.”
Sarai has been socially and politically vocal
In 2024, Sarai stated the political complexities of Canada.
He wrote, “There are only two institutions that refuse to see the evidence provided by the RCMP in the investigation of foreign interference, murder, extortion, and harassment of Sikh and South Asian Canadians:
The Government of India and the Conservative Party of Canada.”
In 2020, Sarai expressed his concerns for the Sikh community during the protests in India.
“The treatment of #PunjabFarmers is deplorable. Farmers are the strength and backbone of the Punjab, and they deserve to be treated with respect.
I stand in solidarity with the #PunjabFarmers. —Sarai posted on SpaceX.”
Altogether, Randeep Singh Sarai, chairing one of the key positions as Secretary of State for International Development, the question lingers whether he will be able to navigate the present complex geopolitical dynamics and restore bilateral trust or not.