No substantive talks between PM Modi-Canada PM Justin Trudeau in Laos

India has said that ties with the Canadian government cannot “be repaired” unless Ottawa takes “strict and verifiable action against those who actively pursue anti-India activities” and have “conspired to promote hate, disinformation, communal disharmony and violence in India as well as Canada”.

The development comes as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in a presser in Laos said that he had a “brief exchange” with PM Modi on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit meetings in Laos. Indian govt sources said that “no substantive discussion” took place between the 2 leaders in Laos capital Vientiane. 

This is the 2nd time that Indian PM Modi, and Canadian PM Trudeau have come face to face since the Canadian PM’s allegations last year in Parliament over Indian involvement in the killing of a Canadian national & listed terrorist in India, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Canadian Parliament had also honoured Nijjar, irking New Delhi and something that was seen as a glorification of terrorism. 

The sources said, India continues to expect that “anti-India Khalistani activities will not be allowed to take place on Canadian soil” and that “firm action”, which is “lacking thus far, will be taken against those advocating violence, extremism and terrorism against India from Canadian territory.” Canada has seen many anti-India rallies which have been taken out by Anti India Khalistani elements. The rallies and the comments continue despite New Delhi’s concerns over them. 

Sources pointed out that the “growing nexus of such forces with organised crime, drug syndicates and human trafficking should be a concern for Canada as well.” The Indian side has pointed out that Khalistani extremists, who have been promoting secessionism have ties with organised crime. In fact, many on India’s -National Investigation Agency, or NIA’s “most wanted” list are currently based in Canada, and India has been seeking extraditions.