DEEPAK Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights, visited Jammu and Kashmir, India, on behalf of Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. While there, he announced funding to assist communities affected by recent floods and met with Sikh leaders who have been working on relief efforts.

“I was saddened to witness the devastation in the flood-affected region of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Obhrai. “Canada is committed to helping those affected by the recent floods, especially through funding the provision of much-needed water purification devices.”

While in the region, Obhrai also met with Sikh leaders who have turned a local temple into a large relief centre. “I was inspired by the stories of assistance across religious communities; this is the true foundation for peace,” he said. “The Sikh community here is overwhelmingly a force of peace and kindness, just as it is in Canada.”

Obhrai also met with a senior official from the office of the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, to discuss the twin challenges of natural disaster and international security, including cross-border terrorism, in light of recent incidents of violence on the Line of Control and the international border between India and Pakistan.

“Canada welcomes the leadership of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in promoting stability with Pakistan and in the Kashmir region,” he said.