PM Modi, Trudeau Engage In ‘Brief Exchange’ In Laos Amid ‘Tense’ India-Canada Relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau met in Vientiane and had a 'brief exchange' amid tensed India-Canada relations

File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau

Source : PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau met in Vientiane, Laos, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, amidst ongoing tensions between India and Canada.

Official sources informed ABP LIVE, “Regarding remarks made by the Prime Minister of Canada, there was no substantive discussion between PM Modi and Prime Minister Trudeau in Vientiane.” They emphasised that 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.”

The sources further stated, “The growing nexus of such forces with organised crime, drug syndicates, and human trafficking should be a concern for Canada as well.” They stressed that India attaches importance to relations with Canada, “but these cannot be repaired unless the Canadian Government 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 meeting comes as Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly on Thursday characterised the current state of Canada-India relations as "tense" and "very difficult." 

After Brief Exchange With Modi, Canadian PM Trudeau Stresses Need To Discuss 'Real Issues'

According to CBS Canada, Trudeau described his interaction with Modi as a "brief exchange" during the summit, marking the second in-person meeting since relations soured in September 2023. This deterioration followed Trudeau's allegations in the House of Commons regarding India's potential involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

While Trudeau did not disclose specifics of their conversation, he highlighted the need to address "real issues" that require resolution. "I emphasised that there is work that we need to do," he told reporters at a press conference in Laos, as quoted by CBS Canada. He further stated, "I won't go into details about what we talked about, but what I've said many times is that the safety of Canadians and upholding the rule of law is one of the fundamental responsibilities of any Canadian government, and that's what I'll stay focused on."

Nijjar was shot dead by masked assailants outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia in June 2023.