New Delhi, February 23: After holding extensive talks with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday made it clear that those challenging India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity could not be tolerated, seen as a veiled reference to the Canadian government’s soft approach towards the Khalistan issue.
Modi also asserted that there could not be any place for those who misused religion for political motives and promoted separatism.
“We discussed the entire gamut of bilateral partnership, and identified concrete steps to boost cooperation. We agreed to strengthen our defence cooperation,” Modi said, while noting that terrorism and extremism were threats for democratic countries such as India and Canada.
Trudeau’s pro-Khalistan approach is being criticised by many, including Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who raised the issue with the Canadian Prime Minister during a meeting. On his part, Trudeau had assured Singh that his country did not support separatism in India or elsewhere.
Modi made it clear that those who challenged India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity could not be tolerated.
After extensive talks between Modi and Trudeau, the two sides inked six pacts, including on energy cooperation.
The two sides issued a statement which said: “As multi-cultural, diverse, pluralistic societies, committed to democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law, India and Canada recognise the grave challenges posed by terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation to violence.”
“Recalling that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations, whenever, wherever and by whomever committed, the National Security Advisor of India and the National Security and Intelligence Advisor of Canada reaffirmed the shared resolve of both India and Canada to combat terrorism and violent extremism in all their forms and manifestations.”
They committed to work together to neutralise the threats emanating from terrorist groups such as al Qaida, ISIS, the Haqqani Network, LeT, JeM, Babbar Khalsa International, and the International Sikh Youth Federation.
Modi, following his nearly-two-hour-long meeting with Trudeau, said during a joint media event with the Canadian Prime Minister that it is important that the two countries worked together to fight terrorism.
Observing that Trudeau had visited various parts of India in the last few days, Modi said the Canadian leader must have experienced the diversity of the country.
On his part, Trudeau described India as a natural partner for commercial cooperation.
Modi said they had also asked the officials of their countries to re-double their efforts to finalise the bilateral free trade agreement.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on the Canadian Prime Minister and discussed various issues of mutual interest.
Swaraj had a warm meeting with Trudeau and discussed ways to strengthen and deepen the partnership between the two countries, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. With PTI
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