'Canada stands overwhelmingly in support of unity, strength of India': Stephen Harper

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Friday said the government of Canada and the Canadian people overwhelmingly support and stand by the unity and strength of India.

"Let me just say something publicly, I said to you (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) privately. Make no mistake, the government of Canada and Canadians overwhelmingly support and will always stand by the unity and the strength of India," Prime Minister Harper said at the official dinner for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Vancouver.

His comments came after 10-15 protesters carrying placards were seen during Prime Minister Modi's visit to a historic Gurudwara in Vancouver.

The protesters carried placards which read "Human rights before trade deals", "Modi is a genocide perpetrator" etc.

Prime Minister Modi and his Canadian counterpart had earlier paid a visit to the Gurudwara Khalsa Diwan, at Ross Street in Vancouver, with the city's Sikh community hailing his visit as 'historic'.

Head covered with a saffron cloth, Prime Minister Modi was accompanied by Khalsa Diwan Society president Sohan Singh Deo, who took him around the Gurudwara.

Later, Prime Minister Modi hailed the contribution of the Sikh community in building Canada, saying they had worked hard and earned the respect of the people of Canada.

Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Harper were also gifted Sikh ceremonial swords and Saropas by the Gurdwara committee.