NEW DELHI – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted his Canadiancounterpart Justin Trudeau on Friday with a hug, one day after embarrassedCanadian diplomats had to revoke a party invitation for a man convicted ofattempting to kill an Indian politician.
The invitation was the latest blunder in Trudeau’s eight-day visit, whichhas included everything from criticism of his colourful wardrobe toquestions about whether his government is sufficiently critical of Sikhextremists.
Jaspal Atwal, a Canada-based former member of a banned Sikh separatistgroup, had been invited by a Canadian member of Parliament to a Thursdayevening party for Trudeau at Canada’s High Commission in New Delhi.
Atwal was convicted of trying to kill an Indian Cabinet minister during a1986 visit to Canada. The minister was shot but survived. Atwal wasimprisoned and became a businessman after his release.
Canada quickly withdrew the invitation once it was discovered, with Trudeautelling reporters: “Obviously we take this situation extremely seriously.The individual in question never should have received an invitation.”
Earlier in the week, Atwal attended a Mumbai reception at which he wasphotographed with Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau.
Modi still welcomed Trudeau on Friday with his signature bear hug, smilingat his wife and their three children, who also attended the formal outdoorceremony.
In a Thursday night tweet, Modi said he looked forward to meeting Trudeauand his family, adding “I appreciate his deep commitment to ties betweenour two countries”. But it hasn’t been an easy trip for Trudeau in manyways.
He’s been ridiculed in India on social media for his family’s seeminglyendless wardrobe changes, with the photogenic group often appearing incolourful Indian clothing, and has faced repeated insistence that hedenounce Sikh extremism.
“Sikh radicalism is the main issue,” the *Hindustan Times*, one of India’slargest newspapers, said in an editorial earlier this week. “Justin Trudeaushould allay India’s concerns on terrorism.”
Canada has a small but politically potent Sikh population, some of whomsupport a breakaway Sikh state, known as Khalistan, inside India. TheIndian media often describe Trudeau’s government as being soft on theKhalistan issue.
“I was pleased to be able to make very, very clear that Canada supports oneunited India,” he said after one meeting. – Agencies