Sikh Federation head: Azerbaijan and Sikh people united by experience of struggle for freedom

The Sikh people have deep historical ties with the city of Baku, and inscriptions in their language, as well as in the Zend language, have been preserved at the Ateshgah Fire Temple, Moninder Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Federation UK, said at the international conference entitled "Amritsar June 1984: Transnational Repression as an Extension of Genocide"

Singh expressed readiness to cooperate with Azerbaijan on various issues concerning the global community as a whole.

"We welcome the opportunity to cooperate with the people of this country on important global issues that are reshaping the world today. The world is changing rapidly, and geopolitical ties are being transformed. It is no longer the same as it was even two years ago, and in two years it will be completely different. The search for new partners, solidarity, and paths toward peaceful coexistence is becoming one of the major challenges of our time," he said.

The head of the Sikh Federation also drew parallels between Azerbaijan"s historical experience and the struggle of the Sikh people.

"Azerbaijan has its own important historical memory - Black January. When the Azerbaijani people fought for freedom, hundreds were killed and hundreds were wounded. Yet a few years later, you were able to achieve sovereignty and independence, freeing yourselves from Soviet rule," he said.

He also stressed that the Sikh people"s struggle for freedom continues to this day.

"You were able to establish your own state and protect your cultural heritage, language, and way of life, whereas we are still striving to achieve those same goals. There are not many differences between your struggle and ours. The only difference is that ours has continued for decades longer," Moninder Singh said.