Canadian PM, Punjab CM renew ties, exchange Khalistani terrorist list

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh in his meeting with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has handed over a list of Khalistani terrorists, the premier said on Friday.

Trudeau, who is on a six-day-long visit to India, said, "We regularly receive information on people of interest and make appropriate follow-ups on them. The list has been passed to our intelligence officials who will go through Canadian procedures."

The Prime Minister refused to further comment on the Khalistan issue, which haunted Trudeau during his entire visit.

Trudeau also said his relationship with Captain Amarinder Singh was important to many Canadians.

"I am pleased to be able to refresh and renew the relationship between the Canadian government and the Punjab Chief Minister. We know it's a relationship important to many Canadians," he said.

Trudeau also said the two sides would continue to look for ways to deepen investment and that there were many steps to come to improve the relationship developed during the visit.

Talking about his dress code, the premier said he was famous for wearing traditional clothes to a broad range of events in different communities in his country and elsewhere.

"Reaction of people on whether I'm wearing traditional clothing or suit and tie is extremely encouraging in Indo-Canadian friendship," Trudeau added.

Talking about convicted Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal, the premier said he would take up the matter with his Cabinet member in Canada.

"Obviously the situation was unacceptable. Like I said yesterday, this individual should have never been invited and the Member of Parliament who invited him has taken responsibility. I would be having a conversation with the MP in Canada."

The Canadian Prime Minister has been mired in controversy since he landed in India with his wife and three children, the latest being an invitation to Atwal, who is one of four men convicted for ambushing and shooting Punjab Minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu in 1986.

Photographs of Atwal with Canadian Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi and the Canadian Prime Minister's wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau has rekindled the debate on Trudeau's stand on the pro-Khalistan movement.