Indian origin Canadian Defence Minister is in India. Here's all you need to know about Harjit Sajjan

Canada’s Indian-origin Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan, who is in India for a seven-day visit, paid his tributes at Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi today. He is here to explore ways to deepen bilateral defence and security cooperation.

Sajjan will have wide-ranging talks with Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on a range of bilateral issues, particularly on ramping up defence and security ties.

“I look forward to my first trip to India since becoming Canada’s Minister of National Defence. This visit will further strengthen Canada and India’s bilateral defence cooperation, and expand our partnership in the security and defence sectors,” he had said, before leaving for India.

Sajjan will also travel to Amritsar, Chandigarh and Mumbai. Here’s all you need to know about the Canadian Defence minister:

Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder



Singh, has accused Harjit Sajjan of being a “Khalistan supporter” and has also refused to meet him despite the Canadian High Commission calling his accusing remarks “disappointing and inaccurate”.

He was a member of the Vancouver Police Department for 11 years. In 2006, Sajjan took time off from the VPD to join the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group in Kandahar.

A Lieutenant Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces, Sajjan completed three tours in Afghanistan and another in Bosnia. He was awarded with both the Meritorious Service Medal and the Order of Military Merit, among other recognitions, for his service.

He also became the first Sikh to command any Canadian Army regiment – his British Columbia Regiment.

Harjit Sajjan was elected as Member of Parliament from Vancouver South in British Columbia on October 19, 2015. His nomination had been backed by prominent Sikh leaders of the World Sikh Organization (WSO).