Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Canadian delegation found themselves stuck in India for an extra night after their plane experienced technical difficulties while trying to leave the Group of 20 (G20) summit. The prime minister’s office confirmed the situation, stating that the issues with their plane were not fixable overnight.
Trudeau had arrived in India on Friday to attend the G20 summit held in New Delhi. During his visit, he had a meeting with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Modi expressed his concerns about “anti-India activities of extremist elements” in Canada. The ministry added that the involvement of such forces with organized crime, drug syndicates, and human trafficking should also be a concern for Canada.
Despite these concerns, the ministry highlighted the shared democratic values, respect for the rule of law, and strong people-to-people ties between India and Canada. However, it is worth noting that Modi’s criticism coincided with Canada’s announcement of a public inquiry into possible interference by several countries, including China, Russia, and India, in the Canadian federal elections held in 2019 and 2021. The inquiry is led by a judge and is aimed at determining the extent of foreign interference.
The delay in Trudeau’s departure from India is a minor setback in the relations between Canada and India. However, it is expected that alternate arrangements will be made to ensure the safe return of the Canadian delegation.