New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Canada, characterising it as a 'hard slap' on Khalistani extremist forces, noting that it will improve 'shortcomings and problems' in bilateral relations between the two nations.

Puri noted that the newly elected Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, was 'honoured' to work with India in various sectors, particularly artificial intelligence, energy, and especially the anti-terror fight.

'These people (Khalistani extremists) say that they will protest because someone funds them. But now, since they did not get the funds, they protested against their funding provider. Now, the newly elected Prime Minister of Canada said that the country is honoured to work with India on artificial intelligence, energy, and against terrorism. Who commits terrorism there? These are the people who get misguided from here, and Pakistan funds them. I think this formulation in itself is a hard slap on those forces,' Puri stated.

Canadian Prime Minister Carney, during a press conference in conclusion of the G7 Summit, stated that during his meeting with PM Modi, both leaders agreed to 'provide the necessary foundations to begin to rebuild a relationship based on mutual respect, sovereignty, and trust.' He also noted that the two countries would work on appointing their High Commissioners again.

Puri's remarks come in the context of PM Modi's participation in the 51st G7 Summit at the invitation of Carney, which comes during a time when bilateral ties between the two nations have been strained in recent years, primarily due to concerns over Canada's perceived leniency towards Khalistani separatist elements and Canada's allegations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Canada in 2023.

India had strongly rejected the allegations and termed them 'politically motivated', with diplomatic standoffs escalating as both countries expelled senior diplomats in a tit-for-tat response.

Puri also expressed his confidence in the PM's visit, noting that the 'shortcomings and problems' in bilateral relations would be rectified very soon.

'I am confident that the shortcomings and problems in bilateral relations will now be rectified, and very soon, bilateral relations between India and Canada will improve again. I think this visit and its results will be beneficial for both sides in the times to come,' Puri added, underscoring the potential for renewed cooperation. (ANI)