Modi expressed strong concern to Trudeau and dissatisfaction with the "assassination of the Prime Minister" float parade
The Indian government stated in a statement that Sikh protesters "promote separatism, incite violence against Indian diplomats, destroy diplomatic buildings, and threaten Canadian Hindu communities and places of worship.".
The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Canadian High Commissioner to India on the same day, expressing serious concerns to the Canadian side about Sikh protesters protesting in front of the Indian Consulate in Vancouver, demanding the establishment of an independent Sikh country, and requesting an explanation from the Canadian side as to why the protesters broke through the warning line outside the consulate.
Reuters reported that apart from the northern Indian state of Punjab, Canada has the highest number of Sikhs. There have been multiple Sikh protests in Canada, which have caused dissatisfaction from the Indian side. In June of this year, India criticized Canada for allowing a float parade to recreate the scene of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi being assassinated by Sikh security guards in 1984, believing that this glorified the violent actions of Sikh separatists and undermined India's sovereignty and dignity.
In 1984, Indira Gandhi sent troops to expel Sikh militants in Punjab who intended to establish an independent state of Kalistan. He attacked the Sikh holy site of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, causing a large number of casualties on both sides and intensifying the conflict between Sikhs and the Indian government. Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two Sikh guards on October 31 of the same year.
According to Agence France Presse, due to protests by Sikhs and other factors, relations between India and Canada have continued to be tense recently. Trudeau's visit to the Indian capital New Delhi to attend the G20 summit appears relatively low-key. Three months ago, the two countries expressed their intention to reach a preliminary bilateral trade agreement within the year, but Canada suspended negotiations this month.
Trudeau said at a press conference held in New Delhi on the 10th that he has always been committed to opposing violence and hatred, and that the actions of a minority do not represent the entire Sikh community or Canada.