Canadian PM Trudeau has just concluded a visit to India. Normally, one would expect that this would be a calm and predictable affair celebrating common values and shared interests, of which there are many. Canada as a developed country, unlike many others of that category, has always been aware of the aspirations and needs of others that are trying to advance, and it has an exceptional record as a provider of economic assistance for the benefit of the developing countries, especially, those of the Commonwealth, to which it has made a big contribution, having given it a Secretary General among other high functionaries.

Perhaps only India can claim to have contributed more to the growth of this important multilateral organization. Moreover, the Canadian contribution has not been limited to the financial sphere, and as its practice has shown in relation to India, Canada has not baulked at supplying high tech equipment when required; especially striking in this regard is the cooperation it has extended to India in the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

With such an encouraging past experience it was only to have been expected that Prime Minister Trudeau’s recent visit would have been much like many of the earlier ones ~ plenty of goodwill, several useful agreements, plans for expanded cooperation in the future; and indeed that is where matters seemed headed when arrangements began to be shaped. And to give an agreeably folksy touch to the proceedings, thereby demonstrating the special flavour of the friendship between the two countries, this summit encounter became something of a family affair in which the Canadian PM’s family played its full part. The visitors had come on an unusually extended trip that emphasized their personal commitment in their country’s outreach to India, and there was no shortage of grace notes to embellish their presence, including even a game of cricket.

After all these preparations and heightened expectations, it was thus something of a shock when problems arose with the arrangements and dogged Mr. Trudeau all through his time in India. The big issue between India and Canada that has surfaced from time to time and can never be wholly ignored is that of terror.

Canada, along with some other liberalizing societies, has become accessible to hostile and dangerous terrorists who use safe havens abroad to mount terror attacks elsewhere, and India has been a repeated target of their activities. The most cataclysmic attack occurred in 1985 when a civil aircraft of Air India returning from Canada was destroyed in flight with the loss of as many as 329 people, which is the worst such incident ever recorded.

Though security awareness has been greatly heightened since that time, the apprehension remains that small groups of persons bent on disruption could use the occasion of a top-level visit to try to create disturbances that are deeply unwelcome to both host and guest.

Unfortunately, something of that sort happened during Mr. Trudeau’s visit, when it became known that some individuals who identified themselves with the cause of ‘Khalistan’ had found their way to India from Canada, obtained some sort of credentials, and seemed set to find their way into official venues for the visit, there no doubt to try to cause trouble and disrupt proceedings.

The grim experiences of the past, and the present threat it constantly faces have made India very sensitive to issues related to public security, and this matter is invariably highlighted whenever there is a high-level visit from abroad, or a return visit from India.

The strenuous efforts made in international forums by India have had good results, as revealed in the string of agreements on this theme that India has concluded with several foreign countries, which makes it all the more regrettable that inadvertent mishandling during the Trudeau visit created unnecessary misapprehension and concern.

Although the incident engineered by the hostile elements drew a great deal of attention, it was not long before the proper dimension of the matter was revealed. Thereafter, all those involved were quick to make amends and take corrective action.

The media had had a field day from the start, as something had obviously gone wrong and the details of the occurrence drew excited comment, including suggestions that India was treating its high-level guest with deliberate coolness. PM Modi, well-known for the exuberant welcome he extends to his guests, had not been seen in company with Mr Trudeau, and this added to the critical observations in the media.

It was also noted that the protocol honours were not as forthcoming as might have been expected, given the long association between the two countries ~ though whatever deficiency there might have been ~ if indeed there was any, was repaired when the two PMs met towards the end of the visit.

By the time Mr Trudeau had completed his visit and was ready to depart the repair job had largely been competed. Neither side wishes to have anything but close and cordial relations with the other. The long history of their friendship and cooperation is a matter of record, and both sides can take legitimate pride in it.

Mr Trudeau reminded us that multi-culturalism is a virtue in both their lexicons and should be valued accordingly. Thus the two leaders did what was necessary to bridge the gap that had appeared: this was only as it should have been for there is no real difference to be negotiated between the two parties.

One important payoff from the events associated with the Trudeau visit was the greatly strengthened shared position the two countries adopted on the matter of terror: it was only to be expected this would be so after what had gone before, in order to restore the balance. Yet to pin the matter down as conclusively as they did should be seen as a message to others in the region and a useful advance in promoting the cause of stable relations in the region.

After the many mis-steps that marked his journey, Prime Minister Trudeau was able to conclude his visit on a positive note. This may not deter some of the Khalistani elements for long as their past practice suggests they may be inclined to bide their time and try to strike when they feel there is an opportunity.

It is important therefore that India and Canada should give them a stern joint reminder. Notwithstanding its liberalism in such matters, Canada, like India, has to assume its full burden in the global suppression of terrorism. As a society deeply committed to diversity, which has brought benefit to successive waves of immigrants, including many from India. Now, however, new challenges have arisen to face which new instruments must be devised.

The writer is India‘s former Foreign Secretary