Canadian PM refused presidential suite, stayed at hotel's regular room during G20

New Delhi: Presidential suites are specially designed by Indian security agencies as per security protocols. But Canadian Justin Trudeau stayed at the Lalit Hotel in the New Delhi during his stay for the G20 Summit. However, despite being offered a presidential suite, his delegation refused to stay there and instead stayed at a regular room in the same hotel, sources said.

Other leaders who had come to India for the G20 was provided VVIP hotels with the presidential suite, with complete security protocols. According to sources, Trudeau’s delegation told Indian security agencies that this decision is being taken due to cost considerations. However, the Indian agencies have said that there is no information about the exact reason behind Trudeau's staying in a normal room.

The Canadian PM was scheduled to depart from India on September 10. However, he had to extend his stay after a technical snag on his Airbus plane. According to sources, the Indian side had offered services of aircraft 'Air India One' to Canadian PM Trudeau and his delegation to fly back, after coming to know about the delay in the departure of the Canadian PM and accompanying delegation due to the glitch in their special aircraft.

Tensions between India and Canada heightened

However, the Canadian side declined the offer and instead chose to wait for the backup aircraft, sources said. Meanwhile, the tensions between India and Canada heightened on Monday, after Trudeau alleged India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar a terrorist in India. This was followed by Canada expelling an Indian diplomat from the country. India rejected the allegations made by Canada, dubbing them as "absurd" and "motivated" and in a reciprocal move also expelled a senior Canadian diplomat from the country on Tuesday.

Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was a terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

India has stopped issuing visas to Canadian citizens

Recently, India has stopped issuing visas to Canadian citizens amid an escalating row over the killing of a Sikh separatist in Canada. India said the temporary move was due to "security threats" disrupting work at its missions in Canada. Tensions flared this week after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said India may have been behind the 18 June killing. 

Speaking to reporters in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Mr Trudeau said: "There is no question that India is a country of growing importance and a country we need to continue to work with." He said Canada was not looking to provoke India or cause problems with the allegation but is unequivocal about the importance of the rule of law and protecting Canadians.

He said: "India is looking for parity in rank and diplomatic strength between the diplomatic missions of the two countries. This is being sought because of Canadian diplomatic interference in our internal affairs." 

Canada has 1.4 million people of Indian origin

Canada has 1.4 million people of Indian origin more than half of them Sikhs making up 3.7% of the country's population, according to the 2021 census. India also sends the highest number of international students to Canada - in 2022, they made up 40% of total overseas students at 320,000. According to Indian government statistics, about 80,000 Canadian tourists visited India in 2021, next only  to the US, Bangladesh and UK.