Justin Trudeau in India updates: Canadian PM's meet with Amarinder Singh ends; Khalistan, trade, agriculture discussed

Justin Trudeau in India updates: Canadian PM's meet with Amarinder Singh ends; Khalistan, trade, agriculture discussed

FP Staff February 23, 2018, 15:11:06 IST

On Wednesday, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau will pay obeisance at the Golden Temple. He will also meet Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh.

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Justin Trudeau in India updates: Canadian PM's meet with Amarinder Singh ends; Khalistan, trade, agriculture discussed
February 23, 2018, 15:11:06 (IST)

Watch: India, Canada exchange agreements; Justin Trudeau, Narendra Modi hold joint press conference

February 23, 2018, 14:45:35 (IST)
Amid 'cold' response to Canada PM, Tamilians on Twitter are losing their minds about him

On his visit to India, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has gone to a lot of places. He has been to the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, Golden Temple in Amritsar and Jama Masjid in New Delhi.

He has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh.

Yet, for some reason, the ones who are most excited (at least on Twitter) about Trudeau’s visit to India seem to be Tamilians.

#Tamils4JustinTrudeau is trending on Twitter. This fact becomes stranger when takes into consideration that Trudeau has neither visited Tamil Nadu nor said anything particularly focused on the Tamil community.

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February 23, 2018, 14:41:43 (IST)

Visuals from Trudeau-Modi joint press conference

February 23, 2018, 14:27:37 (IST)

MEA refers to Canadian side as ‘Iranian’ on its official website

February 23, 2018, 14:22:03 (IST)

Committed to building friendship with Canadian-based with Indian community: Modi

“We are committed to building friendliness with the Canadian-based Indian community and seeking active participation in India’s progress. India-Canada is a natural partnership of shared values. I hope to have more robust partnership between the two countries and the bright future of our two countries.”

February 23, 2018, 14:15:31 (IST)

Six MoUs signed between Canada and India

MoUs were signed on energy, higher education, trade and investment, sports etc. You can read the full list on the official MEA website.

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February 23, 2018, 14:11:54 (IST)

Canada looks to diversify its own economy: Justin Trudeau

February 23, 2018, 14:05:56 (IST)

Will not tolerate those who try to divide country, says Modi

February 23, 2018, 14:05:12 (IST)

India is a trusted friend: Trudeau

“As Canada looks to do business beyond borders, India is a natural partner and trusted friend in commercial operations,” says Justin Trudeau.

February 23, 2018, 14:04:05 (IST)

‘Talked about how to come together to benefit both Indians and Canada’: Trudeau

“I thank Prime Minister Modi for his warm reception here. We share, not only a rich history, but a natural friendship between the two nations. I’m glad to say we wrapped up a productive meeting and discussed mutual interests. 

First, talked about how to come together to benefit both Indians and Canada.”

February 23, 2018, 14:00:44 (IST)
‘People-to-people interaction is the bedrock of India-Canada relations,’ says Modi
February 23, 2018, 13:58:37 (IST)

Terrorism, extremism threats to pluralistic societies: Modi

“We have agreed to strengthen our security cooperation. Terrorism and extremism are threats to democratic, pluralistic societies like India and Canada. It is important to come together to combat these.”

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February 23, 2018, 13:57:15 (IST)

‘Those challenging the sovereignty, unity and integrity of our countries cannot even be tolerated’: Modi

February 23, 2018, 13:55:27 (IST)

‘Happy you visited with your family’

February 23, 2018, 13:51:43 (IST)
MoUs on education, trade and investment exchanged between India and Canada
February 23, 2018, 13:50:43 (IST)

WATCH: Narendra Modi-Justin Trudeau to address joint press conference

February 23, 2018, 13:49:55 (IST)
Narendra Modi-Justin Trudeau to deliver their joint statement shortly
February 23, 2018, 13:48:46 (IST)

Justin Trudeau and Narendra Modi discuss trade, investment at delegation-level talks

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February 23, 2018, 13:47:46 (IST)

‘Stop trying so hard’: Indians to Justin Trudeau

The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, is known to go to extreme lengths to project himself as part of a cause. It is very evident on his India trip where he can been wearing dazzling sherwanis and performing bhangra at a Canada House event or wearing kurtas to the Golden Temple. Social media users were quick to latch on to this and began saying that ‘it was too Indian even for Indians’. According to  NDTV, Vivek Dehejia, an economics professor in Ottawa told Canada’s Global News, “It’s a little over the top. I understand on day one having to wear the traditional clothes, but now it’s getting too much.”

February 23, 2018, 13:26:49 (IST)

Visuals of Indian, Canadian media waiting for Modi-Trudeau’s joint statement

February 23, 2018, 13:05:08 (IST)

‘New momentum in relationship!’ 

February 23, 2018, 12:55:39 (IST)

India-Canada ties show signs of tension since Justin Trudeau began his India trip

Ties between India and Canada have shown signs of tension ever since Trudeau began his visit to India.

First off, Modi not receiving his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau at the airport, a courtesy he extended to some world leaders in the past, had triggered speculation in Canada that it was a snub to him for the rising Sikh radicalism in that country.

There were stories in Canadian media that said Trudeau’s perceived support for Sikh separatists may be the reason for the “snub”.

The Sikhs in Canada wield significant political clout and Trudeau’s Cabinet has four Sikh members. The (government) sources said the prime minister received around five leaders at the airport during the last three-and-half years which included the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former US president Barack Obama, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan twice.

February 23, 2018, 12:51:05 (IST)

Images of Narendra Modi and Justin Trudeau at Hyderabad House

Delegation-level talks are underway at the moment. 

February 23, 2018, 12:28:14 (IST)

Delegation-level talks to take place at 12.30 pm

As per the Canadian prime minister’s website, Justin Trudeau, along with the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Navdeep Bains, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland, the Minister of Defence, Harjit Sajjan, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Amarjeet Sohi, the Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, Kirsty Duncan, and the Minister of Small Business and Tourism, Bardish Chagger will hold an expanded bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House.

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February 23, 2018, 12:12:31 (IST)

WATCH: Narendra Modi meets Canadian PM Justin Trudeau at Hyderabad House

February 23, 2018, 12:08:06 (IST)

Justin Trudeau and Narendra Modi meet at Hyderabad House

February 23, 2018, 11:39:26 (IST)

Modi-Trudeau meet next on agenda

At 12 pm, Justin Trudeau is scheduled to meet Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House.

February 23, 2018, 11:07:50 (IST)

More visuals from Justin Trudeau’s meet with Sushma Swaraj

February 23, 2018, 11:05:03 (IST)

Union minister Harsimrat Badal Kaur misses the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan

February 23, 2018, 10:54:23 (IST)

Images from Trudeau’s visit to Rajghat earlier

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February 23, 2018, 10:44:44 (IST)

Justin Trudeau meets Sushma Swaraj, discuss ways to strengthen partnership

February 23, 2018, 10:35:54 (IST)

More images of Justin Trudeau meeting Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan

February 23, 2018, 10:29:45 (IST)

Harsimrat Badal urges Justin Trudeau to launch Amritsar-Toronto flights

Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday urged Trudeau to start Toronto-Amritsar Air Canada flights on the sidelines of the India-Canada business session, reported Hindustan Times.

February 23, 2018, 10:22:37 (IST)

WATCH: Justin Trudeau pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat

February 23, 2018, 10:17:36 (IST)

More photos from Justin Trudeau’s official welcome ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan

February 23, 2018, 10:13:24 (IST)

Is Justin Trudeau’s trip a total disaster?

Writing for  The Washington Post, journalist Barkha Dutt says that the unusual length of Trudeau’s trip may help explain why it began on a “discordant note”. The editorial quotes government sources as saying that India had requested Canada to shorten Trudeau’s trip or sequence it differently, beginning with political talks. However, that did not happen. “India wanted to start the trip with political talks before Trudeau played tourist. The Canadians disagreed. Also, the Canadians expected Modi to accompany Trudeau to his home state of Gujarat, just as he had done with Shinzo Abe, Xi Jinping and Benjamain Netanyahu. India declined.”

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February 23, 2018, 09:39:34 (IST)

Journalist who protested Narendra Modi’s 2015 Canada visit is part of Justin Trudeau’s delegation visiting India

According to  The Indian Express, Canadian journalist Manvir Singh Saini, who had protested Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 visit to Canada, is part of Justin Trudeau’s media delegation and has accompanied him to all official events so far. 

In 2015, photos of Saini holding banners that read “Modi is a Terrorist”, “Modi you are not welcome in Canada”, and “India out of Khalistan” had gone viral at the time.

February 23, 2018, 09:19:48 (IST)

Trudeau to head to Rajghat next

Following his official welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau will move to the Rajghat next, where he will lay a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial.

February 23, 2018, 09:15:58 (IST)

WATCH: Canada PM Justin Trudeau meets Indian delegation

February 23, 2018, 09:13:23 (IST)

WATCH: Narendra Modi hugs Justin Trudeau, welcomes family in New Delhi 

On Wednesday, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau will pay obeisance at the Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh shrines and is also expected to visit the partition museum, officials said. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner and a senior district police officer will receive Trudeau at the airport on Wednesday. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has planned special event in the honour of Trudeau when he visits the Golden Temple. SGPC, an apex religious body of the Sikhs, will honour Trudeau by presenting him a Siropa (robe of honour), replica of the Golden Temple and a sword, an SGPC official said. [caption id=“attachment_3287032” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]File image of Justin Trudeau. Reuters File image of Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. Reuters[/caption] Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh had said he would discuss business as well as people-to-people ties with Trudeau in Amritsar on Wednesday. “Look forward to meeting Canadian Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau in Amritsar on Wednesday. Im hopeful that this meeting will help strengthen the close Indo-Canadian business ties as well as the deep-rooted people-to-people relations between our two countries,” the chief minister tweeted. The development came following uncertainty over whether the Canadian premier would hold a meeting with Amarinder Singh during his short visit to Amritsar. Officials said that the chief minister would hold a meeting with the Canadian prime minister at a hotel in Amritsar after Trudeau pays obeisance at the Golden Temple. Significantly, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh had refused to meet Canadian defence minister Harjit Sajjan during the latter’s visit to Punjab last year. Amarinder Singh had even accused Sajjan of being a “Khalistani sympathiser”. In 2016, when Amarinder Singh was the Punjab Congress chief, he had written a strongly-worded letter to the Canadian prime minister, lodging a protest on being denied permission for interaction with Punjabi NRIs in Canada in the run-up to the Punjab Assembly polls. Amarinder Singh had called it a “gag order”. However, Amarinder Singh has now directed the state administration to roll out the red carpet for Trudeau. While trade and business will be the key focus areas at the meeting, the two leaders are also expected to discuss steps to intensify the close relations between the people of the two countries, according to a spokesperson of the chief ministers office (CMO). “Punjab has deep roots with Canada, where a large Punjabi community is settled, and has always striven to strengthen the connect,” said Amarinder Singh. He also referred to Trudeau’s apology, two years ago, in the Canadian parliament over the 1914 Komagata Maru incident, in which hundreds of Sikh, Muslim and Hindu passengers in a ship were denied entry in to Canada and forced to return to India, where they met a violent fate. At an AICC briefing in New Delhi, Congress leader Manish Tewari, however, had pointed out that there were sensitive issues involved. “There are sensitivities involved in Punjab. Some of those responsible for terror in Punjab are still finding solace in the country, which Trudeau heads,” he had told reporters. The Canadian premier is on a week-long visit to India accompanied by wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and three children: Ella-Grace, Xavier and Hadrien. With inputs from agencies

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