Narendra Modi Firmly Addresses "Extremists" In Canada, Stressing Zero Tolerance For Threats Against Community

During a recent bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concerns to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding what he referred to as the "continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada." Canada has been a prominent destination for expat Sikhs, and in recent months, it has garnered attention due to the growth of extremism on its fringes.

PM Modi conveyed to Mr. Trudeau that these extremist elements in Canada are actively "promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community and their places of worship." India's foreign ministry issued a statement outlining these concerns and highlighting the potential nexus of these forces with organized crime, drug syndicates, and human trafficking, which should also be a matter of concern for Canada. The statement emphasized the necessity for both countries to collaborate in addressing these threats. PM Modi stressed that a relationship built on mutual respect and trust is essential for the progress of India-Canada relations.

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In response, Prime Minister Trudeau acknowledged that he had discussed the issue of Khalistan extremism and "foreign interference" with PM Modi on multiple occasions over the years. He affirmed Canada's commitment to defending freedom of expression, conscience, and peaceful protest while simultaneously preventing violence and countering hatred. Trudeau reminded reporters that the actions of a few individuals should not be taken as representative of the entire community or of Canada as a whole. He also emphasized the importance of respecting the rule of law and addressed the issue of foreign interference in their discussions.

Over recent years, Canada has witnessed several instances of Khalistani activities, including protests outside the Indian Embassy, assaults on Indian-origin journalists, the organization of parades celebrating the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and the appearance of threat posters targeting Indian diplomats. India has consistently lodged protests against these incidents, underlining the need for both countries to work together to address the challenges posed by extremism and its associated threats.