Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Remains Stranded In India Days After PM Modi's Stern Message On Khalistan Issue

A backup plane and spare parts are being sent to India for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation, who are currently stranded due to a breakdown of their original plane.

According to an unnamed government official speaking to Bloomberg, Trudeau has the option to either fly back home on the backup plane or wait for the repairs to be completed on the original plane.

In a statement from Trudeau's office, it was mentioned that the Canadian Armed Forces are doing their best to bring the delegation back home.

The latest update also suggests a possible departure on Tuesday afternoon, although the situation is still subject to change.

The plane troubles are just another setback for Trudeau during his trip to India.

His first visit in 2018 turned into a diplomatic disaster when it was discovered that a man convicted of attempting to assassinate an Indian politician on Canadian soil had somehow made it onto Canada's guest list for an event.

During this trip, even before the plane broke down, Canadian PM Trudeau faced public criticism from his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

Modi confronted Trudeau on the issue of allowing Sikh groups in Canada, who advocate for an independent homeland called Khalistan, to engage in "anti-India activities."

Trudeau's national security adviser has stated that India is a significant source of foreign interference in Canada's affairs.

Although the two prime ministers did not have a formal bilateral meeting at the summit, they briefly discussed foreign interference and the importance of respecting the rule of law.

Trudeau's travel delays have sparked a debate back home about the deteriorating state of Canada's infrastructure.

The aging Airbus A310s used to transport Trudeau and other top officials on international trips have become a cause for concern.

Dating back to the 1980s, these aircraft are showing significant signs of wear and tear. They are so outdated that refueling stops are necessary for Trudeau's journeys to Asia, often requiring stopovers in Alaska and Japan before reaching the final destination.

Even in the early 1990s, the purchase and retrofitting of the planes sparked controversy under the government of former prime minister Brian Mulroney.

One of the planes was famously criticised by Mulroney's successor, Jean Chretien, who referred to it as a "flying Taj Mahal". Chretien even refused to use it for official trips, fearing it would make him seem disconnected from ordinary Canadians.

Currently, the government is in the process of replacing its fleet of government transports with Airbus 330s.

However, these planes are still undergoing retrofitting to make them suitable for use.

In the meantime, the official residence of Prime Minister Trudeau, located at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, is in such a dilapidated state that he and his family have never lived there since his election in 2015.

The house is plagued with issues such as faulty wiring, drafty windows, and inadequate security measures. The neglect of the residence is a result of successive prime ministers refusing to allocate public funds for its restoration.

Although a government agency has removed many of the problematic interior features, it remains uncertain whether the residence will undergo restoration and upgrades, which could cost over C$37 million ($27.2 million), or if a new residence will be built instead.

Currently, Trudeau resides in another government building on the grounds of Canada's governor general.