AMN / Amritsar/Chandigarh
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who is on visit to punjab, today assured Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh that his country did not support any separatist movement in India or elsewhere.
The categorical assurance from Trudeau came when Capt Amarinder sought the Canadian Prime Minister’s cooperation in cracking down on separatism and hate crime by fringe elements, constituting a miniscule percentage of Canada’s population, according to a press statement released by the Punjab Government.
Citing the separatist movement in Quebec, Trudeau said he had dealt with such threats all his life and was fully aware of the dangers of violence, which he had always pushed back with all his might, the chief minister’s media advisor Raveen Thukral disclosed after the meeting.
During a 40-minute long meeting here between the two leaders, the Punjab Chief Minister handed over to Trudeau a list of nine Category ‘A’ Canada-based operatives alleged to be involved in hate crimes in Punjab by financing and supplying weapons for terrorist activities, and also engaged in trying to radicalise youth and children here.
During the meeting, both leaders also discussed Punjab- Canada relations and the issues regarding trade in agricultural, service sector and dairy farming.
The Chief Minister identified Higher Education, Scientific Research & Technology, Innovation & Start Ups, as well as Skill Development as some of the areas in which Canada could contribute to the development of Punjab.
Mr Singh informed after the meeting that he also raised the issue of Khalistan movement.
The Chief Minister said, he gave a list of some Canada-based operatives to the Canadian PM who are involved in the incidents to create ruckus in Punjab by financing and supplying weapons for terrorist activities.
He said, Mr Trudeau assured to take action against the people who are allegedly using Canadian land against Punjab.
The Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Raveen Thukral said, Mr Trudeau assured Captain Amarinder Singh that Canada did not support any separatist movement in India or elsewhere.
Earlier today, the Canadian PM and his family visited the Golden Temple and performed ”seva’ in the community kitchen there.
Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Punjab Local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu received Mr Trudeau at Amritsar Airport this morning.
He was accompanied by MPs and many Punjab origin ministers of Canada. Mr Trudeau described his trip to India as extremely enjoyable.