Candian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan greeted by a guard of honour at south Block in New Delhi on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal

New Delhi, April 18

Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan was on Tuesday accorded a tri-service guard of honour outside South Block lawns in Raisina Hills.

There was confusion yesterday over whether a guard of honour will be given to the Canadian Defence Minister today.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Late in the night, MoD spokesperson Nitin Wakankar clarified that the advisory on cancellation of the guard of honour was issued erroneously.Sajjan arrived in New Delhi today and shall be going to India Gate tomorrow.When contacted, the Canadian High Commission refused to comment.Earlier in the day, an official invitation was sent to the electronic media for coverage of the event.Sajjan also held wide-ranging talks with Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on a host of bilateral issues, particularly on ramping up defence and security ties.A guard of honour is a ceremonial welcome for dignitaries when troops in full uniform and regalia lower their weapons and the visiting dignitary ‘inspects’ the guard. It ends in a salute.In Chandigarh, meanwhile, carrying forward the tough stance against Sajjan, the Capt Amarinder Singh government has decided that no minister would accompany the dignitary during his visit to various places in the state.Sources said only the DC and SSP concerned of the district would facilitate Sajjan’s visits.  The Canadian Defence Minister is scheduled to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple on April 20. He is also expected to visit his native village near Hoshiarpur. — TNSOn Agenda

• During his trip, Harjit Singh Sajjan will travel to New Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh and Mumbai
• In Punjab, Minister Sajjan will visit the Golden Temple and civil society organisations, and in Chandigarh, he will inaugurate the new office of the Consulate-General of Canada
• In Mumbai, Sajjan will visit the Mumbai Port and meet several business and industry leaders.

Jaitley, Canada Def Min Sajjan hold talks

Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan pays tribute at Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan

New Delhi, April 18

India and Canada on Tuesday held extensive talks on enhancing defence and security cooperation between the two countries.

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Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and his Canadian counterpart Harjit Singh Sajjan explored ways to deepen the security ties.

Sajjan arrived here yesterday on a seven-day India visit, his first after assuming charge as Canada’s Minister of National Defence.

Sajjan, a Sikh, will also travel to Amritsar, Chandigarh and Mumbai. —PTI