Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland today said that Canada supports a strong and united India, and asserted that it is very, very proud of its diverse and plural society, including the Sikh community which contributes very much to her country.
Her remarks come amid criticism faced by her Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his pro-Khalistan approach.
Freeland said the issue was discussed during her meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today.
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I did discuss the issue with the (Indian) foreign minister and I will leave it to her to comment on her impressions of the conversation. But I felt it was a very constructive and useful discussion we had, Freeland said.
She was responding to a question at an event organised by the Observer Research Foundation, a thinktank which provides analysis on security, strategy, economy, development, energy and resources.
Trudeau, during his meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh yesterday, had assured that his country did not support separatism in India or elsewhere, as he pitched for greater cooperation, according to an official.
Our prime minister (Trudeau) has said on a number of occasions, at home and on this trip, that the foreign policy of the government of Canada is to support a strong and united India. And we are very clear about that, she said.
Referring to the Quebec separatism movement, Freeland said it is familiar with the challenges separatist forces throw.
And, our own party is a federalist party that also believes in united and federal Canada. We are also very clear in our condemnation of terrorism of all forms, she said.
Freeland, who is a part of the delegation accompanying Trudeau, said Canada is really, really proud of its diverse society and welcomes Canadians from all communities, who come from a diverse background and different parts of the world.
We are very proud that our high commissioner to India can speak in Gujarati to your Prime Minister (Narendra Modi). We think he is the only high commissioner who can do that and that is quite unique. One of the communities that is significant in Canada, which traces its roots to India, is the Sikh community which also contributes very much to our country, she said.
"India is rightly proud of itself as being a successful, plural, diverse democracy. In Canada, we pride ourselves on that as well. We are a diverse society. We are proud saying that our diversity is our (strength). We are really, really proud," she added.
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