Justin Trudeau to Fly Out by Noon? 48 Hrs After G20, Canadian PM Stuck in India Post Plane Glitch

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who continues to stay in his room in New Delhi’s Lalit Hotel after his Airbus plane developed a snag, may finally fly off by Tuesday late afternoon.

A report in Hindustan Times quoted Mohammed Hussain, press secretary at the Canadian Prime Minister’s office, as saying, “The Canadian Armed Forces continue their best efforts to get the Canadian delegation home. Their latest update shows an earliest possible departure of Tuesday late afternoon. The situation remains fluid.”

The report further quoted a person familiar with the details: “Both he and his son stayed in.” HT mentioned that the Canadian PM’s 16-year-old son, Xavier, was travelling with him, and accompanied him to Jakarta and also Singapore before flying into New Delhi.

The Canadians and the Japanese booked most rooms at the Lalit, but now only about 30 of the rooms continue to be occupied by the PM’s core team and accompanying media, the report stated.

With Snag & Snub, Hard Time for Trudeau in India

Trudeau’s extended stay in India post G20 summit comes at a time when New Delhi has not been entirely warm towards the Canadian PM.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday conveyed to Trudeau New Delhi’s strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada as they are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats and threatening the Indian community there.

In his talks with Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Modi also mentioned that a relationship based on “mutual respect and trust” is essential for the progress of India-Canada relationship, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

In July, India summoned the Canadian envoy and issued a demarche over the increasing activities by pro-Khalistani elements in Canada, days after posters featuring names of India’s senior diplomats serving in Canada featured in some posters in certain areas in that country.

In June, a video emerged on social media that showed a float depicting the assassination of Indira Gandhi. It was reportedly part of a parade that was organised by some Khalistani elements in Brampton.

Asked about India’s concerns over the increasing activities of the Khalistani elements in Canada, Trudeau said at a press conference that his country will always defend freedom of peaceful protest but at the same time asserted that it will always prevent violence and push back against hatred.