Trudeau in India: The Canadian PM meets Modi after diplomatic dance
Posted by: Colin Bunn
BBC
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, on Friday.
The meeting came towards the end of Mr Trudeau’s first official visit to India, which has been far from smooth.
Canada caused upset earlier in the week by inviting an alleged Sikh extremist to an official dinner; an invite it later rescinded.
However, the Canadian PM has thrown himself into the visit, including by performing an impromptu Bhangra dance.
Both countries have denied speculation that the Canadian PM has received a lukewarm reception in India.
Mr Modi has, on many occasions, personally received visiting government leaders at the airport. But he welcomed Mr Trudeau on Twitter, a day before the two were scheduled to meet.
The leaders finally met six days after Mr Trudeau arrived in India, and signed a raft of agreements reiterating Indo-Canadian ties.
Mr Trudeau’s trip has been marred by criticism that his government is soft on Sikh extremists.
He said the Delhi dinner invite sent to Jaspal Atwal, who was convicted and later acquitted of trying to assassinate an Indian minister in 1986, was a mistake.
The dinner, which was hosted at the Canadian High Commission on Thursday night, then drew attention for another reason – Mr Trudeau arrived doing Bhangra, a popular Indian dance that he is known to like.
The crowd cheered him on but Twitter he had a mixed reaction, with lots of Indians and Canadians seeming to disapprove of the display.
Can someone tell him Indians don’t live like they are in a Bollywood set 24×7 @vidurkhanna
End of Twitter post by @atirav
Are you serious @JustinTrudeau? Are you trying to get a feature role in a Bollywood film?
End of Twitter post by @djacyshyn
Damn, those are pretty awesome bhangra moves. Not easy to do. https://twitter.com/rohitgandhi_/status/966689622385360896 …
Mr Trudeau and his family have also been in the news for wearing traditional Indian outfits several times on their trip – a decision that has amused some Indians and annoyed others. Many tweeted to say that Indians do no dress up like people in Bollywood films.
Mr Modi received him at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace, in Delhi.
They met again later on Friday, along with other delegates, to discuss trade, defence, climate change and co-operation over civil nuclear energy.
A warm welcome to a valued friend. PM @JustinTrudeau arrives at Rashtrapati Bhawan with Madame Sophie Grégoire Trudeau and their children. Warmly received by PM @narendramodi
End of Twitter post by @VikasSwarup
