Prime Minister Narendra Modi did some plain talk on Friday and told his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau that India will not tolerate those who challenge its sovereignty.
Trudeau faced massive criticism after Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal was invited to an official dinner to be hosted by the Canadian High Commissioner in the Canadian PM's honour in Delhi on Thursday. The invite was hurriedly withdrawn. Atwal was also photographed with Trudeau's wife and and Canadian minister Amarjeet Sohi in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Modi said terrorism and extremism are a threat to democratic and diverse countries like India and Canada. He made it clear that challenging India's sovereignty, unity and integrity cannot be tolerated.
"There should be no place for those who misuse religion for political purposes and deepen divide (between communities)," Modi said, a remark seen as a veiled reference to the Canadian government's perceived soft stand on the Khalistan issue.
Atwal and three others were convicted of the attempted murder for the 1986 attack on Punjab Minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu on Vancouver Island. Ties between New Delhi and Ottawa have been frosty as Canada is being seen to be offering a platform to separatists demanding an independent Khalistan.
Earlier Trudeau's perceived pro-Khalistan approach had received condemnation with Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also having raised the issue with him during a meeting. Trudeau had assured Singh that his country does not support separatism in India or elsewhere.
Trudeau said, "We discussed strengthening people-to-people ties. Canada has 1.3 million people of Indian descent. We seek to uphold democratic traditions, pluralism and diversities."
Earlier in the morning Modi gave a warm hug to Trudeau when he arrived to attend at an event at President House.
Meanwhile, India and Canada discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral partnership, and identified steps to boost cooperation including in the defence sector. They inked six pacts, including on energy cooperation.
While Modi remarked that Trudeau, who visited various parts of India in the last few days, must have experienced the diversity of the country, the Canadian PM described India as a natural partner for commercial cooperation.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Trudeau when the two sides discussed ways to strengthen and deepen the partnership.
"Picture speaks for itself! EAM @SushmaSwaraj had a warm meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada @JustinTrudeau and discussed ways to strengthen and deepen our partnership," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted and posted a picture of the two leaders.
CHILDREN’S DAY AT THE FORECOURT
The lasting memory from Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s India tour will be his family outing at Rashtrapati Bhavan. It was a rare sight when Trudeau with his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, and three children — Xavier (10), Ella-Grace (9), and Hadrien (3) — were photographed along with PM Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Seldom has a head of state walked down Rajpath with his entire family, with the spouse being the only usual company.
