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Harper wraps up Indian tour, visits Sikh Golden Temple

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CTV National News: Graham Richardson on the trip
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is returning to Ottawa Thursday after an action-packed trip to Asia that included talks with Indian leaders on trade and investment. But on his final day, Harper played tourist to the country's most spectacular religious sites.
Question period: Opposition hammers the Tories
NDP leader Jack Layton challenges the federal government and their commitment to sell India nuclear materials and technology.
Canada AM: Gordon Edwards, nuclear analyst
The president of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility explains why Canada is looking ot make a nuclear deal with India.
Canada AM: Robert Fife on the PM's popularity
CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief discusses Harper's new marketing strategy as the some-what stiff PM has show signs of loosening up after singing a Beatles tune and appearing on a Bollywood reality TV show.
Canada AM: Elliot Tepper, Carleton University
A professor off Asian studies discusses the significance of Harper's visit how to India and describes how he will try to improve trade between India and Canada and why a nuclear deal is key to the bilateral relationship.
CTV News Channel: Deepak Obhrai, Tory MP
The parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs outlines the remainder of Stephen Harper's agenda in India and says the main focus will be to promote investment and tourism between Canada and India and hopes to come away with numerous trade deals.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Wed. Nov. 18 2009 8:53 PM ET

Prime Minister Stephen Harper wrapped up his three-day visit to India Wednesday with a visit to the Sikh Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Harper was surrounded by a massive crowd during the hectic visit to the temple, said CTV's Graham Richardson, who is travelling with the prime minister.

"There were thousands of people there thronging around the prime minister as he walked through the temple. You may remember that Jean Chretien did this in 2003 and it was quite out of control," Richardson told CTV's Canada AM.

The temple was the site of a violent clash in 1984 that eventually led to the bombing, one year later, of an Air India flight from Vancouver that killed 329 people.

Harper was surrounded by men in barefoot wearing orange robes, along with crowds of Indian camera operators and photographers as he visited the important Sikh religious site.

"You must cover your heads with scarves, remove your socks and shoes and walk through the temple," Richardson said. "So there were some extraordinary scenes at the heart of the Sikh religion for millions of people this morning that Stephen Harper took a look at."

Earlier Harper was in New Delhi to tour the world's largest Hindu temple -- a much more serene event as Harper strolled through the magnificent, empty grounds.

Richardson said there are roughly one million people of Indian descent in Canada, many of them watching closely as Harper makes his first trip to India.

"From the prime minister's perspective, to be able to see the things he's seen -- even on a short trip -- and make connections and meet people like Prime Minister (Manhoman) Singh of India. It can be nothing but a success, for sure."

Richardson said Harper's communications staff has maintained their typical tight control on reporters travelling with the prime minister. A number of members of the Indo-Canadian media are travelling with Harper, and one was called forward on Harper's plane recently, for an interview.

The reporter was asked to provide her questions ahead of time, and was told she couldn't ask any questions about politics, Richardson said.

"I've covered politics for a long time and I've never actually heard of a prime minister, a premier or anyone else around them telling a reporter she couldn't ask about politics," Richardson said.

"It's the typical story when this prime minister is on the road, this is how they run things and it's been more of that for sure on this trip."

Harper is expected to arrive back in Canada on Thursday.

Comments are now closed for this story

montrealer
said
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I would like to draw attention to the last two paragraphs of the article. Harper and censorship at work again, what's next?


Portes
said
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When heads of State travel they are expected to wear the dress of the natives as a sign of respect to that country. It is also impolite to ask questions of a political nature when you are in someone elses country. Of course the Liberals will now say that it is all sorts of things. But them are the facts. we have lost our good manners recently and so do not abide with the traditions of other countries


D. Byrnes
said
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This tour was probably staged for good political reasons...but Mr. Harper's body language tells a different story. ...embarrassing for everyone involved.. I believe one of the reasons Mr. Harper "Won't answer questions" is that he has a hard time multi-tasking, in an unfamiliar environment...outside of his office.


david sawkiw[saskatchewan farmer]
said
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The Prime Minister looks truly happy in the photo..He seldom looks as happy at home.He must be enjoying the respect he gets from the foreign media.The headgear looks a little goofy,, but at least it's not on backwards!!! [Like the blue helmet Cretin had on for a photo op.]


Michael (Ottawa)
said
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Glad to see we have a Prime Minister who travels the globe making new friends for Canada (and Canadian manufacturers ie jobs) while the lame brained lefties at home continue to bash him only proving to the world how out of step lefties are with how the real world functions.Some things never change.


Catwoman 37
said
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I guess it is up to the 1 million people in Canada from India to decide on what they think of our govt move.The real story of Ghandi is quite popular.


Kitchener Senior
said
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Keep up the good work Mr. Prime Minister for CANADA !This leader is just that, a "LEADER", and has, and continues to do the right thingsfor our country.Canada is a "World Leader" - no doubt about that, (e.g. G-8 / G-20 / U.N etc), & this Prime Minister has the respect of other world leaders.Canadians have but one choice, and that is to back this world recognized leader with a majority government, so we grow in stature into the future.This prime minister doesn't let the news media run his office, or personal life, he controls that, and for very good reasons.I can honestly say, that the future for Canada lies with a healthy strong, foresighted government, & that is one lead by Mr. Stephen Harper.Canada is for sale, and we got a super salesman at the helm ~ just wait and see.


MHB
said
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India has three major religions Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism. While Sikhs are a pretty small minority, Muslims are over 120 millions. The fact that PM Harper snubbed the large muslim population of India speaks volumes about his ideals and principles. Canada deserves a way better PM who would treat Canadians and others in the same way not based on their religion or race.


An episode straight out of V last week
said
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@Portes,Keep drinking the Conservative Kool-Aid - nobody said anything was wrong about wearing the Sikh headdress - that's expected and understood (the only comment I saw so far called it 'goofy' and was of course from your Con brethren, the Sask. farmer who never actually does any farming but posts here all day). However, I never knew that being on a plane counted as being in a foreign country and barred any questions to a POLITICian about POLITICs. Actually, I think I just saw this same scene on 'V' last week when the alien didn't want the reporter to ask anything that could potentially make them look bad.


Michael
said
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@MHB Get off your Muslim soapbox !PM Harper didn't snub anyone! If you are so insecure in your Muslim religion because Harper didn't address all the Muslims by faith group then you have a bigger problem than Harper will ever have. You need to learn not to be so touchy and learn to get along with everybody and you will find the world isn't quite what you imagined.


Ken - Calgary
said
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No wonder it's nothing but good news... Harper has chosen which people from the media are allowed to cover his visit. No doubt he has selected Conservative-friendly media since he is desperate for optics. Another example of what type of person Harper is - censorship is one step from dictatorship.


david sawkiw[saskatchewan farmer]
said
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@an episode sraight out of v last week;;;; Well, unlike you, I have not had time to watch any episodes of V just yet.....Thanks to the socialist governments of the past ,, I am simply too busy driving down to the post office to pick up my subsidy chegues..Some years ago I did catch an episode of Startrec,, the kool-aid was blue. What color is socialist kool-aid??


K D
said
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Give me a break! NEVER did a Liberal Prime Minister make the media submit their questions ahead of time. Why? Because Liberal PMs were competant, and gave honest answers. Harper evidently needs time to construct his LIES and his SPIN DOCTORING, or he'd be comfortable with any media asking any questions. This PM is an utter buffoon, a liar, and a disgrace to Canada.


john groenewegen
said
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Why is it the media choose to close a story with a focus on themselves, as opposed to a focus on the purpose and outcome of a Prime Ministers trip. Perhaps reporting on important issues that can move Indo Canadian relations and business forward


montrealer
said
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in response to the poster who referenced the V episode from last week:I think you got it!!! It would explain everything bizarre about Harper?!! Or maybe he is a product of the American military, like in the Manchurian Candidate!! LOL


Michael, Cambridge ON
said
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To further peoples comments regarding Harpers censorship on press. Actually that is truth because since he came to power and Canada ranking falls about by 8 ranking down from where it was on Press Freedom.Interesting?


Vanc Eastside
said
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PM Harper is doing a great job - he's going to end up being one of the best PM's we've ever had!Led the longest running minority government (now that's hard with all the wing nuts on the left and those Bloc heads!)Led Canada through the economic meltdown.Led Canada into the next century!Thank all the gods for not having to see Dion or Iggy as PM - in PM Harper I trust!!*He's not a thieving Liberal, he's not a lawyer and he's not from Quebec! Only criminals vote Liberal!


Rick in NB, Ste Marie
said
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Harper snubbing the press is old hat. It's the new reformed conservatives rushing in to defend his actions that keeps me amused. If he put a plank up his butt and wore a propeller on his head, there would be new reformed conservatives praising his sense of fashion.


The Other Lowell in BC
said
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I like the comparison to the V episode. Here we are with men and women losing their lives for the cause of freedom in Afghanistan yet Prime Minister Harper sees fit to censor the media so that he is not asked embarrassing questions. One of our fundamental freedoms is freedom of speech. If I was a service person in the Canadian military I would be appalled. That is a terrible message that he is sending. Come on Steven tear that wall down. Lets get rid of censorship.


Enough Already
said
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We are lucky as small as we are that India will even consider talking to Canada. This is about export not moving jobs to India; of course we will lose some jobs overseas if it makes sense for our business. There is a small window of opportunity for us to trade with a Country of 1 billion. This can only be a good thing. Ask yourself where we would be if we could not export to the US. When we signed Free Trade that was what Canadians were complaining about, how many jobs would we lose to the US. Now ask the exporters where we would be if we could not trade with the US. lumber, cattle to name a few. Canada has a population of 32 million people do you really think we can sustain by not doing trade with the rest of the world? We have a lot to offer and the resources we have are in demand in other parts of the world. I am sorry for the minority of communities that will be affected by their jobs being lost overseas. It would be better to determine what you have to offer that is unique to Canada. High labour wages is not one of them. Ask the Auto Industry. Better cars being made overseas and shipped here for less money, you tell me what is wrong with that picture? Harper is proving to be a strong PM who is becoming respected all over the world. Our economy is one of the best in the world.


Susanna
said
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Visiting heads of state defer to local customs to avoid international diplomatic incidents. I'll bet the last thing Mr Harper wanted to do was put that head covering on. On the other hand, when heads of state visit here they don't remove their turbans. Oh wait, Canada is multicultural and "tolerant", so anything goes, no worries.


Rick in NB, Ste Marie
said
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@ Enough Already, Why are we lucky? Canada has a $ 1.4 trillion GDP India has $ 1.25 trillion GDP. The amount of people has nothing to do with business. It's how productive the country is. India has as much or more to gain from a trade deal than Canada. Rant away my delusional friend, You are a prime example of a new reformed conservative.


greenmind
said
0 0

Harper is a lightweight who avoids the really difficult issues of our age, such as global warming and nuclear proliferation. He is all about short term sales, the long term consequences be damned.


Sunny
said
0 0

Wonderful to see our Prime Minister visit the Sikh's holiest place, the Golden Temple. A place that welcomes everyone to share in its divine experience, from world leaders to the homeless. It is a positive message of how important the Canadian-Sikh community is today. Made me proud to see my PM there. - Vancouver, BC


TVic from Guelph
said
0 0

Yep, not surprising - if PMO can't script and closely control the message then they clam up. Too bad, the PM could have scored some political points at home. But wait, I forgot, if the PM wants to get a message out he arranges an interview with Fox News (not the Canadian media).


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