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‘Won’t tolerate those who challenge India’s unity, promote separatism’

In a veiled attack on Khalistani sympathisers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India and Canada will “not tolerate”…

‘Won’t tolerate those who challenge India’s unity, promote separatism’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Photo: AFP/File)

In a veiled attack on Khalistani sympathisers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India and Canada will “not tolerate” those who challenge the unity and integrity of the two countries and misuse religion to promote separatism.

Issuing a joint statement along with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Modi said: “There should be no space for those who misuse religion for political motives and promote separatism.”

“We will not tolerate those who challenge unity and integrity of our countries,” he added.

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Modi further said that the two nations discussed many issues including deference operation.

“Terrorism and extremism are a threat to countries like ours and to fight these elements it is important for us to come together,” he said.

Modi’s statement comes amidst frosty ties between New Delhi and Ottawa late as Canada was being seen as offering a platform to separatists demanding an independent Khalistan.
While Modi did not accompany Trudeau to Ahmedabad, a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh in Amritsar on Wednesday was organised only at the last moment.

On Thursday, fresh storm blew after it came to light that the Canadian High Commission here had extended an invitation to a convicted Khalistan separatist, Jaspa Atwal, for a reception in honour of Trudeau.

The High Commission then rescinded the invitation while the Indian External Affairs Ministry said that it was ascertaining how a visa was issued to Atwal who holds a Canadian passport.

Trudeau later said that the matter was being taken “extremely seriously” and that Atwal should never have received an invitation.

The visit of Trudeau, who assumed office in November 2015, comes after the visit of Modi to Canada in April that year.

Following Friday’s bilateral summit between the two leaders, a number of agreements have also been signed.

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