There was no substantive discussion between PM Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau in Vientiane, govt sources said, adding while India attaches importance to relations with Canada, these cannot be repaired till Ottawa takes verifiable action against Khalistan separatists.
Trudeau had earlier said he had a brief exchange with Modi in which he emphasised there’s work to be done by both sides in the relationship.
Reacting to Trudeau’s remarks, official sources said India continues to expect that anti-India Khalistani activities will not be allowed to take place on Canadian soil and that firm action, which is lacking thus far, will be taken against those advocating violence, extremism, and terrorism against India from Canadian territory. The growing nexus of such forces with organised crime, drug syndicates, and human trafficking should be a concern for Canada as well, govt said.
“India attaches importance to relations with Canada but these cannot be repaired unless the Canadian govt takes strict and verifiable action against those who actively pursue anti-India activities and have conspired to promote hate, disinformation, communal disharmony, and violence in India as well as Canada,” it added. Trudeau had also said in his remarks that “real issues” between the two countries needed to be resolved.
“I won’t go into the details, but what I have said many times is that safety of Canadians and upholding rule of law is one of the fundamental responsibilities of any Canadian govt, and that’s what I’ll stay focused on,” he had said after the exchange with Modi.