Technical Glitch Delays Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s Departure from India
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent visit to India took an unexpected turn when his official aircraft encountered a technical issue in New Delhi, resulting in a delay to his delegation’s departure. According to reports from the ANI news agency, the Canadian delegation decided to postpone their departure until the ground engineering team could resolve the issue.
Trudeau, accompanied by his son Xavier, had arrived in India to participate in the G20 summit during India’s presidency. He also held bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit.
During their discussions on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Modi expressed India’s deep concern to Trudeau regarding extremist elements in Canada who have been actively promoting secessionism, inciting violence against Indian diplomats, and posing a threat to the Indian community living in Canada.
Modi emphasized the importance of a relationship based on “mutual respect and trust” for the progress of India-Canada relations, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He highlighted that the foundation of India-Canada relations rests on shared democratic values, respect for the rule of law, and strong people-to-people ties.
In the official statement released by the MEA, it was mentioned that India is deeply concerned about the actions of extremist elements in Canada and their links to organized crime, drug syndicates, and human trafficking. The statement stressed that cooperation between the two countries is crucial in addressing such threats.
When questioned about India’s concerns regarding the increasing activities of Khalistani elements in Canada, Trudeau addressed the issue during a press conference. He stated that Canada will always defend freedom of expression, conscience, and peaceful protest, emphasizing their commitment to these values. However, he also made it clear that Canada will take a firm stance against violence and hatred.
“It is extremely important to us,” Trudeau said. “At the same time, we are always present to prevent violence and to combat hatred. I think it’s important to remember, on the issue of community, that the actions of a few do not represent the entire community or Canada.”
In summary, Trudeau’s visit to India took an unexpected turn due to a technical glitch with his aircraft. However, the discussions between the leaders of India and Canada highlighted the importance of strong, respectful, and cooperative relations between the two nations in addressing common challenges, including the activities of extremist elements. Trudeau reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to freedom of expression and peaceful protest while condemning violence and hatred.