Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced a travel delay in India.
Following the conclusion of the G-20 summit in New Delhi over the weekend, Trudeau was set to depart on Monday. However, the malfunctioning of a crucial part of his official aircraft prevented him from leaving.
“The defective part needs replacement,” conveyed Daniel Le Bouthillier, the media relations chief for the Department of National Defence, as per Toronto Sun.
By Tuesday, Trudeau was set on his return journey. The Royal Canadian Air Force dispatched a technician with the necessary replacement parts to India, who then rectified the issue with the prime minister’s Airbus CC-150 Polaris plane.
Interestingly, Global News highlighted that this wasn’t the maiden incident where Trudeau’s international travel aircraft faced issues. They mentioned the plane has had a series of issues and is on the agenda to be replaced later this year.
During the G-20 summit, Trudeau’s reception wasn’t entirely warm. He faced criticism from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over concerns related to Sikh separatist activities in Canada. Reuters noted that the Indian media also portrayed Trudeau in a less than favorable light, suggesting he was sidelined at the event.
After their meeting, a statement from Modi’s office emphasized concerns regarding “anti-India actions by extremist groups in Canada.” Modi pointed out these groups’ links with activities ranging from inciting violence against Indian diplomats to affiliating with criminal syndicates.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Trudeau shared his G-20 summit contributions through a social media post, highlighting his endeavors around job creation, environmental conservation, and peacekeeping. His office further released a statement emphasizing his proactive role in addressing global challenges like climate change and promoting the significance of the rule of law.
Aircraft issues have not been exclusive to Trudeau among global leaders recently. This past August, Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, had to cut short her Oceania trip due to recurring issues with her government aircraft, causing it to return to Abu Dhabi on two occasions.
Similarly, in June, concerns over the reliability of a New Zealand defense force plane carrying Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to China led to a backup aircraft being dispatched. Past New Zealand Prime Ministers Sir John Key and Dame Jacinda Ardern have also faced travel disruptions during their international tours when RNZAF Boeing 757s and Hercules aircraft encountered malfunctions.
