Indian press skewer Trudeau after tense New Delhi trip
By Quinn Patrick
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a tense exchange with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his trip to India for the G20 summit in New Delhi and was later lambasted by the Indian press for comments he made while there.
The two leaders shared a curt handshake during the G20 summit and only briefly sat down to speak with one another on the final day of the summit.
Modi also hosted a gala dinner among other events, which Trudeau was not in attendance for.
Trudeau told reporters that he addressed alleged election interference by India during their sit down, however Modi made no mention of it when reflecting on their conversation with Indian media and was more concerned with Sikh protesters in Canada.
Modi posted a video montage of his reception of visiting dignitaries to the G20 summit, but left out Trudeau.
Relations between Canada and India have cooled since Trudeau was elected, especially after his public support for Indian farmers protesting against the Modi government.
Canada is home to the highest Sikh population outside of India and many Sikhs want to separate from India and have their own independent state, known as Khalistan.
Modi had strong words for Trudeau regarding Sikh protesters in Canada, according to Reuters.
The issue has been a bone of contention more recently, following a float in a parade that depicted the 1984 assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The float was seen as a glorification of this act and caused a stir between the two nations in June.
“They are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship,” said a statement released by the Indian government.