Canadian govt soft on Khalistani supporters? PM Trudeau breaks silence

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday said that Canada has always taken "serious action" against terrorism and it will continue to do so as he asserted that it is "wrong" to believe his government is soft on Khalistan supporters and terrorists in the country.

His remarks came days after India summoned the Canadian envoy in New Delhi on Monday and issued a demarche over the increasing activities by pro-Khalistani elements in Canada. His remarks also came two days ahead of proposed pro-Khalistan rally outside the Indian High Commission in Ottawa on July 8.

"They are wrong. Canada has always taken extremely seriously violence and threats of violence. We have always taken serious action against terrorism and we always will," Trudeau said while responding to a question during a press conference.

He was asked about a parade float in the Greater Toronto Area last month that depicted former prime minister Indira Gandhi's assassination.

Khalistan supporters, marking the 39th anniversary of Operation Blue Star, put up a tableau of late the prime minister with blood on her clothes and a poster that read, “Revenge of attack on Shri Darbar Sahib”.

Recently, provocative pro-Khalistani posters labelling some senior Indian diplomats as "killers" sparked outrage across India.