Justin Trudeau can’t leave India amid tense relations with Modi

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation are stranded in New Delhi nearly 24 hours after their scheduled departure, owing to unfixable technical issues with his plane. The timing couldn’t be worse as tensions continue to rise between Canada and India, especially after Canada’s alleged support for Sikh secessionist groups sparked controversy at the recent G20 summit.

Political Sparks Fly During Unplanned Extended Stay

According to Trudeau’s office, the technical problems plaguing the Canadian Prime Minister’s aircraft are not quickly solvable, and alternate arrangements are in the works. In the meantime, Trudeau’s delegation and accompanying journalists find themselves involuntarily extended in the Indian capital. Amid this unexpected crisis, diplomatic relations between Canada and India have reached a boiling point. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Canada of harboring extremist elements that pose threats to India’s national security.

Trudeau-Modi Sideline Conversation Sheds Light on Tense Canada-India Relations

Although there was no formal bilateral meeting between the two leaders, they did engage in a terse sideline conversation. Trudeau has mentioned in the past that topics such as Sikh separatism in Canada and India’s alleged interference in Canadian affairs have always been a part of his dialogues with Modi. However, he reiterated that Canada stands firm on principles of freedom of expression and peaceful protest.

The Complexity of Canada-India Relations Amid Sikh Separatism

Tensions are also heightened by a recently organized referendum by Sikh separatist groups demanding a separate homeland for the Sikh community in India. With the Canadian Prime Minister stranded in India, these issues are pushed to the forefront, potentially complicating future diplomatic relations between the two nations. Trudeau clarified that the actions of a few do not speak for the entire community or the nation, but the question remains: will this unexpected extended stay aggravate the already volatile Canada-India relations?