Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told an audience in Washington that he has more Sikhs in his Cabinet than Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Hindustan Times reported on Monday.
Trudeau, made the remark on Friday while answering a question from a Pakistani student at the American University in Washington during his state visit to the United States.
The student, Jahan from Pakistan, told Trudeau that he finds it great that the Canadian PM has so many Punjabis in his cabinet.
“I have more Sikhs in my cabinet than Modi does,” said a visibly amused Trudeau.
The Liberal leader was sworn into office as Canada’s 23rd prime minister, in November last year. He included four Sikh-Canadians apart from naming an equal number of men and women to a slimmed-down Cabinet.
Canada’s Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains (L) is congratulated by Trudeau. ─ AFP/File
Sikh-Canadians in the Canadian cabinet include Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi, Small Business Minister Bardish Chagger and Innovation Minister Navdeep Singh Bains.
On the other hand, there are only two Sikh Cabinet ministers in the Modi’s government — Maneka Gandhi, who is a Sikh by birth, and Harsimrat Kaur Badal — the food processing minister.
