Canada assures action against Khalistan groups

Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird on Wednesday assured that his country will take action against anti-India activities of radical Khalistan groups on its soil.

Baird, who is on a four-day visit to India, held talks with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna at the Hyderabad House.

“We are committed to do whatever we can within the law to curb activities of such extremist groups in Canada,” Baird told reports in answer to a question on the perception that Khalistan groups have a relatively free run in organising anti-India activities in his country.“Once the activities of these groups are brought to our notice, we take action,” he said.

On the civil nuclear deal, he made clear that the nuke pact would be implemented soon. Exuding confidence, he said that the deal would be through after administrative details are sorted out. Baird noted that no additional conditionalities were being imposed in context of its discussions with the US or the European Union.

“We have no concerns with respect to proliferation. These concerns and issues are in the past... I am confident that these discussions will be concluded early,” he said. Krishna added that the two governments were in the process of working out the details.

“These are matters of details which are being worked out in consultations... It is being negotiated. We look forward to the completion of these consultation,” he said. He also thanked Canada for its support for India’s membership in export control regimes. Though Krishna did not mention it specifically, India was certainly flagging the Nuclear Suppliers Group, of which Canada is a vital member.

Energy Top Agenda 

Energy was certainly an important component of Wednesday’s bilateral discussions, with Indian companies deeply interested in the North American country’s oil and gas sector, especially the shale gas reserves.

“Canada can be a stable supplier of natural gas to India... We can be a stable source,” Baird said.