A meeting between Modi and Trudeau coincided with voting in Surrey on a non-binding referendum for a Sikh homeland that supporters call Khalistan.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed “strong concerns” over Canada’s handling of the Punjabi independence movement among the overseas diaspora, on the same day thousands in Metro Vancouver’s Sikh community gathered to vote on the matter. A statement released by India’s Ministry of External Affairs said Modi told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of this weekend’s G20 summit in New Delhi that progress in the two countries’ relationship required “mutual respect and trust.”
“India-Canada relations are anchored in shared democratic values, respect for rule of law and strong people-to-people ties,” the Indian government statement said. “(Modi) conveyed our strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada.” The statement described the Sikh movement as “promoting secessionism and inciting violence” against Indian diplomats. It called on Canada to work with India on what New Delhi said is a threat to the Canadian Indian diaspora.
The meeting between Modi and Trudeau coincided with voting in B.C. on a non-binding referendum for a Sikh homeland that supporters call Khalistan.
Large crowds of voters lined up to vote at Surrey’s Guru Nanak Gurdwara on Sunday, after the Surrey school district cancelled organizers’ original plans to rent a local high school for the vote, which is part of an international campaign.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, general counsel for the referendum’s organizers, said Monday the attendance numbers were so large that “thousands” weren’t able to vote, and a second phase of voting is now scheduled for Oct. 29.
Source: vancouversun.com
