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Canada concerned over Gujarat violence

Voicing concern over the situation in Gujarat, Canadian Minister of Inter-governmental Affairs Stephanie Dion on Wednesday said, "As long as secularism is in the heart of the attempts by the government to solve the problem, we are confident that they will succeed."

Dion, who is on a four-day visit to the country, met Union Home Minister L K Advani apart from Defence Minister George Fernandes and said he conveyed the angst of the 800,000 Canadians of Indian origin regarding the communal frenzy in Gujarat to them.

He expressed eagerness to participate in the 'March for peace' planned by Fernandes, and urged 'all people of goodwill' to 'turn up and show how much they want the return of peace to the state'.

The minister said the Canadian government promoted many ethnic community-friendly policies and would support similar policies all over the world.

On the war against terrorism, Dion said, "It is not a fight against any particular religion but against terrorist organisations. We are co-ordinating closely with India to root out such activities by sharing intelligence and through joint security exercises."

PTI

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