Trudeau, Modi Talk Over Khalistani Violence
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Delhi on Sunday and discussed the issue of Khalistani violence.
Trudeau said that Canada would always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest. However, he also said that Canada is “deeply concerned” about the rise of Khalistani extremism and its potential to incite violence.
Modi, for his part, said that India is “committed to taking all necessary steps to counter the threat of terrorism, including Khalistani terrorism.” He also said that India is “open to discussing all issues with Canada in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding.”
The meeting between Trudeau and Modi came after a number of Khalistani-linked protests in Canada in recent months. The protests have been condemned by both the Canadian and Indian governments.
The issue of Khalistani violence is a sensitive one for both Canada and India. The Sikh separatist movement, which seeks an independent Sikh state in Punjab, India, was founded in the 1970s. The movement led to a number of violent incidents, including the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of Khalistani activity, both in India and in the diaspora. The Canadian government has been criticized for its perceived soft approach to Khalistani groups.
The meeting between Trudeau and Modi is seen as an attempt to improve relations between the two countries. However, it remains to be seen whether the two sides can reach an agreement on how to address the threat of Khalistani violence.
In addition to the issue of Khalistani violence, Trudeau and Modi also discussed a number of other issues, including trade, investment, and climate change. The two leaders agreed to work together to strengthen the Canada-India relationship.
