NEW DELHI: Canada's Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau today met with Punjab chief minister
Amarinder Singh in Amritsar, and along with Trudeau was his defence minister
Harjit Sajjan
, whom
Amarinder refused to meet last year, calling him a "Khalistani sympathiser" .
Earlier today, Trudeau and his family visited the Golden Temple and performed ''seva' or service by rolling chapatis in the communal kitchen there.
The issue of the Canadian government's apparent ambivalence on how to deal with Sikh extremists has clouded PM Trudeau's ongoing visit to India. Sources told TOI yesterday that
Trudeau was initially reluctant to meet Amarinder during his visit to Amritsar but finally, and well into the second day of his stay in India, the Canadian side wrote to the Punjab CM seeking a meeting with him.
The Canadian PM attempted some damage control yesterday, when he said at an event that Canada is strongly committed to "one united India" and is serious about cracking down on extremism.
"Canada has been unequivocal, both myself, all my ministers, our government on a policy of one united India. We have, we have been very strong on that and we'll continue to be," said Trudeau.
He also said his administration rejects violence and hate speeches.
"I think part of Canada's strengths is that we recognize that diversity is a strength and a wide range of opinions and views are an important part of the success of Canada. We of course reject violence and hate speech or hateful speech, but at the same time I can reassure everyone that my position, that Canada's position has not changed. We support one united India," Trudeau was quoted as having said in a reply to a query from a Canadian journalist in Mumbai.
Trudeau, who arrived in India on Saturday, is on a week-long state visit to the country.