Canada for an united India: Trudeau

February 21, 2018 08:35 pm | Updated 08:35 pm IST

AMRITSAR: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday asserted that his country believed in an united India and assured the Punjab government that it would not support any separatist movement in India.

“Really happy to receive categorical assurance from Canadian PM Justin Trudeau that his country does not support any separatist movement. His words are a big relief to all of us here in India and we look forward to his government’s support in tackling fringe separatist elements,” tweeted Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh, who had a one to one meeting, that lasted nearly 40 minutes, with Mr. Trudeau here.

“I took up the issue pertaining to Khalistan as it is a matter of primary concern to us. He (Mr. Trudeau) is aware of it and has assured us that he is going to look into the matter,” said Capt. Amarinder after the meeting.

During the meeting, Capt. Singh sought the Canadian Prime Minister’s cooperation in cracking down on separatism and hate crime by a fringe element, constituting a miniscule percentage of Canada’s population. In response Mr. Trudeau assured Capt. Singh that “'his country did not support any separatist movement in India or elsewhere.”

An official spokesperson said that while citing the separatist movement in Quebec, Mr. Trudeau said he had dealt with such threats all his life and was fully aware of the dangers of violence, which he had always pushed back with all his might.

The Chief Minister handed over a list of nine Category ‘A’ Canada-based operatives alleged to be involved in hate crimes in Punjab by financing and supplying weapons for terrorist activities, and also engaged in trying to radicalise youth and children in Punjab.

At the meeting, in which Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Punjab Local Government Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu were also present, Capt. Singh also raised the issue of Indo-Canadians believed to be involved in targeted killings in Punjab, urging him to take cognisance of the same and initiate stern action against such elements.

The spokesperson added that the two leaders agreed on the importance of strengthening ties between their countries, with the Chief Minister expressing Punjab’s keenness to engage with Canada in several vital domains related to economic cooperation.

Earlier, amid tight security Mr. Trudeau, along with his wife and children, visited the Golden Temple. In the visitors’ book, Mr. Trudeau wrote: “What an honour to be well received at such a beautiful, meaningful place. We are filled with grace and humility.”

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