Wellington, July 9 -- Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to New Zealand, New Zealand MP Parmjeet Parmar sought to downplay concerns over pro-Khalistan protests, saying those involved constitute a "very small number" and do not represent the views of the wider Sikh community in the country.

Parmar, the first Indian-origin woman elected to New Zealand's Parliament from the National Party, said New Zealand values freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest, but stressed that such freedoms do not extend to intimidation, violence or support for terrorism.

"The numbers are very small; you can count them on your fingertips. They do not represent the views of the wider community, including the Sikh community here in N...