Chandigarh: Canada does not recognise the recent unofficial Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) referendum to express support for a separate Sikh nation-state, Consul General of Canada in Chandigarh Patrick Hebert remarked in September.

On tackling Indian-origin gangsters in Canada linked to extreme levels of violence, he told IANS in an exclusive interview here that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has a close relationship with a number of agencies in India and will continue to work with them to ensure that criminals are not able to act with impunity.

On Canada’s stand on SJF campaigns for an independence referendum to carve out a separate Khalistan state, Hebert replied firmly to IANS: “Canada has made clear, on a number of occasions, that we respect the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of India. Canada does not recognize the recent unofficial Sikhs for Justice referendum.”

The US-based SFJ, a pro-Khalistan group, was banned by the Indian government in 2019 for its alleged anti-national activities. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is the legal adviser of the group.

India last week took strong objection to Canada allowing a “Khalistan referendum” to take place in Brampton, while calling it a farcical exercise held by extremists and radical elements.

On Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann seeking support from Canadian High Commissioner Cameron Mackay for nabbing the gangsters operating from Canadian soil, the Consul General, who is based in Chandigarh, said the RCMP has a close relationship with a number of agencies in India and will continue to work with them to ensure that criminals are not able to act with impunity, whether in Canada or India.

Responding to a question on growing trade relations between Canadian and the businesses in this region, Hebert said Saskatchewan-based company Clean Seed recently announced it had entered into a Letter of Intent with the Northern Farmers Producer Company Limited Mega Farmer Cooperative to market and distribute 1,000 smart seeder machines from 2023-2025 in both Punjab and Haryana, the prominent granary states.

With its multipurpose solutions such as managing straw and accurate seed and fertilizer placement in combination with the unique no-tillage practices, the smart seeder machines can bring a paradigm shift.