With his Canadian counterpart beside him, PM says ‘there should be no place for those who misuse religion for political objectives and create divisions’.
New Delhi: Sending a firm and unambiguous message to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said there is no place for those who misuse religion for political objectives and India would not tolerate anyone challenging its sovereignty, unity and integrity.
“Our relations are based on supremacy of democracy, pluralism and law as well as mutual contact. We have agreed to strengthen our cooperation in the area of security,” Modi said with Trudeau by his side.
“Terrorism and extremism are a threat to democratic, pluralistic societies like India and Canada. It is important for us to come together to fight such forces.
“There should be no place for those who misuse religion for political objectives and create divisions. Those challenging the sovereignty, unity and integrity of our nations will not tolerated,” Modi said.
Modi’s comments came at the end of Trudeau’s eight-day trip, which has been in the spotlight for his government and the ruling Liberal party’s softness towards Sikh extremist groups, which are politically influential back in Canada.
To make matters worse, Jaspal Atwal – a Sikh extremist who was convicted of trying to kill a politician from Punjab in the 1980s – was photographed with high-ranking members of Trudeau’s delegation Wednesday, leaving both New Delhi and Ottawa red-faced.
Trudeau has, however, assured New Delhi that his country does not support anyone trying to revive a separatist movement in India. On Friday though, he did not refer to the issue during his joint media statement with Modi.
“Prime Minister Trudeau and I have agreed to fight terrorism and extremism. Our NSAs also met earlier. They have finalised the Framework for Cooperation on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism. I look forward to a strong partnership between the two nations and a bright future for both,” Modi said.
Trudeau, meanwhile, stressed on the importance of strengthening people to people ties, while also underlining the importance of upholding pluralism and diversities in both countries. “We discussed strengthening people-to-people ties. Canada has 1.3 million people of Indian descent. We seek to uphold democratic traditions, pluralism and diversities,” Trudeau said.