In a veiled reference to the Canadian Government’s soft approach towards the Sikh separatist elements and pro-Khalistan sympathisers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday told Justin Trudeau that those who challenge India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity cannot be tolerated.
The Indian PM not only raised India’s concerns over growing anti-India sentiments in Canada by the supporters of Khalistan, but also made it clear that tolerating and harbouring such elements may have an impact on bilateral relations as well. Canada has a huge Indian diaspora and is a popular destination for education for Indian students.
“First of all we agreed to strengthen our security cooperation. Terrorism and violent extremism are threats for democratic and pluralistic societies like India and Canada. To combat these forces, it is important for us to come together…There should be no space for those who misuse religion for political motives and promote separatism. We will not tolerate those who challenge unity and integrity of our countries,” Modi said in his media statement after the talks.
The Trudeau Government and his Cabinet has been seen as going soft on anti-India elements, and sympathising with Sikh separatists.
However, Trudeau assured the Indian leadership that his country does not support separatism in India or elsewhere.
later, the two countries signed a Framework for Cooperation on countering terrorism and violent extremism that will see them working in tandem in neutralising the terror groups including the radical Sikh terror networks. The framework was signed between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and the National Security and Intelligence Adviser of Canada following the bilateral meeting between Modi and Trudeau.
The agreement makes way for institutionalised cooperation while binding the two countries to commit themselves together in neutralising the threats emanating from terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda, ISIS, the Haqqani Network, lashkar-e-Tayyeba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Babbar Khalsa International, and the International Sikh Youth Federation.
“Recalling that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations, whenever, wherever and by whomever committed, the National Security Adviser of India and the National Security and Intelligence Adviser of Canada reaffirmed the shared resolve of both India and Canada to combat terrorism and violent extremism in all their forms and manifestations…They recognised the urgent imperative to disrupt recruitment, terrorist movements and the flow of Foreign Terrorist Fighters, address the threat posed by cross-border and State-sponsored terrorism, stop sources of terrorist financing, dismantle terrorist infrastructure and prevent supply of arms to terrorists and counter violent extremism and radicalisation to violence. They emphasised the need to deny operating space to terrorist and violent extremist groups,” the agreement said.
A total of six agreements in the areas of civil nuclear energy, education, intellectual property, sports, Information Communications Technology and Electronics and petroleum and natural gas were signed between the two sides. In defence sector, the two sides are exploring possibilities for cooperation in diverse fields including cold climate training, enhancing naval interactions, and staff exchanges. The leaders also agreed to coordinate on cyber security and addressing cyber crimes at bilateral and multilateral forums.
Describing India as a natural partner, Trudeau stressed on increasing commercial cooperation and strengthening people to people ties. “It was a pleasure to meet Prime Minister Modi again. Canada and India share a special friendship, and the agreements that we reached today will grow our middle class, create new opportunities for Canadians and Indians alike, and deepen the bonds that bring our two countries together,” Trudeau said.
He added that in expanding the relationship, the two sides will focus on partnerships to support business development and customs cooperation, education, research, and innovation, women’s empowerment, security and sustainable development.
During their discussions on regional and international issues, the two leaders expressed strong concern about recent developments in Maldives and their implications for a free society. In their joint statement, they urged the Maldives Government to ensure early resumption of the political process after revoking the state of emergency and allow democratic institutions, including the judiciary, to function independently in a fair and transparent manner.
“As leaders of parliamentary systems, they deplored the degradation of judicial independence and authority and of democratic institutions, as well as respect for fundamental freedoms, including those of speech and assembly, constitutional rights and obligations under international law,” the joint statement said.
later, Modi and Trudeau attended the India-Canada CEOs Dialogue to explore business potential in diverse sectors.