Khalistani extremism won’t help ties: PM Modi to Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau

NEW DELHI: India-Canada ties threaten to go into freefall because of the growing divergence between the two sides over the unchecked Khalistani extremism in the North American country. This was evident on Sunday when PM Narendra Modi told his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau that there could not be progress in India-Canada ties without trust and mutual respect.
However, while PM Modi sought cooperation from Trudeau in reining in pro-Khalistan elements, the Canadian PM later told the media that his country would always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience and freedom of peaceful protest, while acting against hatred, and that he raised the issue of “foreign interference” with PM Modi.
Trudeau’s office said he raised the importance of respecting the rule of law, democratic principles and national sovereignty in the meeting with PM Modi. Trudeau’s government had accused India in the past of interfering in affairs related to the large Sikh population there, even drawing comparisons with China & Russia.
Canada sought a bilateral meet, India agreed to just a pull-aside
PM Modi told his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 summit that there could not be progress in ties without trust and mutual respect. Canada had apparently sought a bilateral meeting for Trudeau, who was on his first visit to India since 2018, but India is learnt to have agreed only to a pull-aside. Canada recently also suspended negotiations for a free trade agreement with India.
PM Modi used the meeting to convey India’s strong concerns over continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada, the Indian government said in a statement.
“They are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship,” it added.
According to Indian authorities, the two leaders had a pull-aside on the margins of the G20 summit. Trudeau, who wanted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy at the G20 summit and also a much stronger stand on Russia, congratulated Modi for India’s successful presidency.
Foreign minister S Jaishankar had earlier blamed Canada’s “vote-bank politics” for the intransigence on the part of local authorities in checking the activities of forces backing the separatist Khalistan movement. He warned Canada in June that India would have to respond if activities in Canada impinged on India’s security and integrity.
PM Modi told the Canadian leader that the nexus of such forces with organised crime, drug syndicates and human trafficking should be a concern for Canada as well. “It is essential for the two countries to cooperate in dealing with such threats,” PM Modi said.
Speaking to reporters later, Trudeau said Canada would always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest, but at the same time “we are always there to prevent violence and to push back against hatred”. “I think on the issue of the community, it is important to remember that the actions of the few do not represent the entire community or Canada. The flip side of it, we also highlighted the importance of respecting the rule of law and we did talk about foreign interference,” he added.