Canadian Minister refuses to comment on Khalistan tag

New Delhi, April 18
Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan on Tuesday refused to comment on charges that he was a Khalistan backer and said he was proud to have been born in India.

"I have been given many labels through my life," Sajjan said, when he was asked about allegations that he was a Khalistan supporter.

"I don't want to be sucked into the internal politics of a province of a nation. My goal is to build relationships. I am proud of the fact that I was born here," he said.

Sajjan arrived in India on Monday on a week-long visit. He will visit Punjab too.

Sajjan was dubbed a Khalistan sympathiser by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who has said he would not meet the Canadian minister.

Sajjan meets Jaitley, given Guard of Honour

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday held talks with his Canadian counterpart Harjit Singh Sajjan, discussing bilateral defence and security cooperation issues.

Sajjan, who is on a week long visit to India, was also given a Guard of Honour at South Block, which houses the Defence Ministry. He also laid a wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, which a memorial dedicated to unnamed soldiers.

His formal welcome came after some confusion over the Guard of Honour, a ceremonial practice to honour domestic or foreign dignitaries, being cancelled after an advisory from the Defence Ministry said so. It was later clarified by sources that the communique announcing cancellation of the Guard of Honour was a mistake.