Trudeau made it clear that the actions of a few individuals should not be seen as representative of the entire community or Canada as a whole.
During a meeting at the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed India's deep concerns to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding the ongoing anti-India activities of extremist elements within Canada. These elements have been actively promoting secessionism, inciting violence against Indian diplomats, and even posing threats to the Indian community residing in Canada.
Modi emphasized the significance of a relationship built upon "mutual respect and trust" for the advancement of India-Canada ties, underscoring the foundational principles of shared democratic values and respect for the rule of law. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) echoed this sentiment, stating, "The prime minister highlighted that India-Canada relations are anchored in shared democratic values, respect for rule of law and strong people-to-people ties."
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the MEA also drew attention to the nexus between these extremist forces and organized crime, drug syndicates, and human trafficking, emphasizing that it should be a matter of concern for Canada. Cooperation between the two nations in addressing these threats was deemed imperative, PTI reported.
In response to questions about India's concerns over the rising activities of Khalistani elements in Canada, Trudeau affirmed his country's commitment to defending freedom of peaceful protest while simultaneously asserting their determination to prevent violence and combat hatred. Trudeau remarked during a press conference, "Canada will always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest, and it is extremely important to us."
He also emphasized the importance of not generalizing the actions of a few individuals to represent the entire community or Canada as a whole. Trudeau acknowledged India as a crucial partner for Canada across various sectors, emphasizing their collaboration on issues ranging from climate change to economic growth.
Both leaders expressed their intent to continue exploring avenues for expanding their existing cooperation across multiple sectors. In a post on 'X', Modi reiterated that he and Trudeau had engaged in comprehensive discussions encompassing the full spectrum of India-Canada relations.
This statement by Trudeau comes in the wake of recent incidents, including the desecration of the Shri Mata Bhameshwari Durga temple in Surrey, British Columbia, with anti-India and pro-Khalistan graffiti. This act of vandalism occurred just before the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) announced plans to 'lock down' India's Consulate in Vancouver.
The temple desecration was linked to Canadian authorities' decision to withdraw permission for voting at a public school due to concerns regarding promotional materials featuring an image of an AK-47 rifle. This voting had been scheduled for September 10 at Tamanawis Secondary School in Surrey, British Columbia.
Notably, last month, the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey was also vandalized with anti-India and pro-Khalistan posters, which were subsequently removed. These incidents have raised concerns about the impact of such activities on the community and Canada's efforts to address them.