Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his serious concerns regarding the protests in Canada against India to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi, according to a statement from India.

New Delhi has long been sensitive to Sikh protesters in Canada. In June, India criticized Canada for allowing a military display depicting the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards, which was deemed glorification of violence by Sikh separatists.

The Indian statement also said: "They promote separation and incite violence against Indian diplomats, destroy diplomatic buildings, and threaten the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship."

Relations between India and Canada remain tense, and Ottawa this month halted talks on a proposed trade treaty with India, just three months after the two countries announced they aimed to reach a preliminary agreement this year. Modi, who held bilateral meetings with several world leaders during the G20 summit, did not meet with Trudeau.

Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984 by two Sikh bodyguards after she allowed the storming of the holiest Sikh temple in northern India, aimed at expelling Sikh separatists who sought an independent homeland known as Khalistan.

Canada has the largest Sikh population outside their native Punjab in India and has been the scene of many protests that have angered India.

For his part, Trudeau said at a press conference in New Delhi that Canada will always defend "freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and peaceful protest."

He added: "At the same time, we are always there to prevent violence and respond to hatred," noting that the actions of a few "do not represent the entire community or Canada."

A statement from the office of the Canadian Prime Minister also mentioned that Trudeau's departure from the G20 summit was delayed on Sunday due to a technical issue with the Canadian delegation's aircraft. It added that the delegation will remain in India until alternative arrangements are made.