Support united India, oppose those aiding violent extremism:Canada ex-min

Canada's former defence minister Jason Kenney said Tuesday he is a strong supporter of a united India and is against those aiding separatist movement and extremism.

His comments come in the wake of some leaders of the ruling Liberal Party of Canada extending their support to sikh separatists, who comprise a part of Canada's electorate.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had alleged that some ministers of the Justin Trudeau government, including Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan, had links with Punjab separatists.

Kenney also said that he would not tolerate glorification of people responsible for violent terrorism, including the Kanishka bombing, and urged Canadian politicians to maintain distance from anything seen as endorsing or glorifying the use of violence for political ends.

Kenney, currently the leader of opposition United Conservative Party in Alberta state of Canada, however, did not criticise Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for coming in support of separatist elements of Punjab, saying he respects the convention of not attacking the head of the government when outside of Canada.

"I have been a huge supporter of a united India and an opponent of those who seek to exploit the emotions of some to allow a kind of festering of separatist movement and other forms of extremism. Canada has been touched by different kinds of extremism emanating from South Asian terrorism including Tamil Tigers extremism and the jihadi terrorists.

"I stand in total solidarity with the views of Indian leaders in the security of this great democracy," he told a gathering of parliamentarians here.

Kenney met a galaxy of MPs across party lines, including those from Congress, RJD, BJP, Akali Dal and other parties, at a function hosted by Punjab MP Pratap Singh Bajwa.

He was accompanied by a delegation of his party that comprised Alberta state legislators Indian-born Prasad Panda and Devin Dreeshen.

Kenney said he is here to promote investments as India is the fastest growing major economy in the world.

On the Kanishka bombing of an Indian Airlines flight, he said, no one was brought to justice in the incident.

"I have always opposed glorification of those associated with Kanishka bombing or any other kind of terrorism. But that does not diminish the Constitutional right of Canadians to express civil and democratic political views," he later told PTI.

Kenney will be visiting the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar and then will hold discussions with the Punjab chief minister.

He met union ministers Sushma Swaraj, Harsimrat Badal and Nitin Gadkari and held discussions for mutual benefits between the two countries.