Justin Trudeau will have to extend his stay in India after the G20 summit in New Delhi. The reason: a plane breakdown that delayed the Canadian prime minister's departure, Canadian authorities said on Sunday.
Justin Trudeau arrived in India on Friday for the G20 and was due to return to Canada on Sunday after laying a wreath at the memorial of India's father of independence, Mahatma Gandhi. A mechanical problem on the plane scheduled for his return trip forced him to stay there an extra night.
A tense G20 for Trudeau
The aircraft was “experiencing technical difficulties” that “cannot be resolved overnight,” Justin Trudeau’s office said in a statement. “Our delegation will remain in India until alternative arrangements are made.” According to Canadian channel CTV, the aircraft in question was an Airbus that has had problems in the past.
Justin Trudeau's presence at the G20 has been less publicized than some of his G7 colleagues. It also comes amid tensions between Canada and India. New Delhi has accused Ottawa of turning a blind eye to the activities of radical Sikh nationalist groups seeking to carve out a separate Sikh state in northern India.
