New blunder adds to Trudeau's bumpy Indian visit

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Justin Trudeau's first official trip to India as Canadian prime minister has been an uncomfortable public relations ride so far.

The eight-day visit has been overshadowed by suggestions of a lukewarm reception by the government and the latest embarrassment over concerns about how a convicted Sikh extremist was invited to a New Delhi meet-and-greet for Trudeau.

A series of photo ops featuring the Trudeau family in coordinated Indian attire have also raised eyebrows in both countries.

The invitation by the Canadian delegation to Jaspal Atwal, convicted in 1986 of the attempted murder of an Indian politician visiting Canada, was swiftly cancelled.

It came days after Trudeau had assured his hosts he would not support anyone trying to revive a separatist movement in India.

"The fact that an invitation, which was already extended to Mr Atwal, has been withdrawn, it basically shows (Canada) have taken into account the concerns which we have,” said Raveesh Kumar, a spokesman for India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (rear), his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau (L), their daughter Ella-Grace (2 R) and sons Xavier (2 L) and Hadrien (R) pose for a photo in front of the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in New Delhi, during an official visit on February 22, 2018 in Delhi, India. /VCG Photo

Atwal’s invitation was withdrawn once his links to an organization banned in India came to light. Trudeau told reporters on Thursday that a Canadian parliamentarian on the trip had taken responsibility for the mistake.

A largely unrecognized figure in India, Atwal was a trending topic on Twitter across the subcontinent on Thursday after images of him in the company of Trudeau’s wife and other Canadian ministers surfaced online.

The trip, partly aimed at shoring up support for Trudeau’s Liberals among the politically important ethnic vote in key regions, has also been criticized for being light on official government business.

Support from Canada’s large and concentrated South Asian community helped Trudeau’s Liberals gain power in 2015, and all three of Canada’s main parties – including the New Democratic Party, lead by Jagmeet Singh – are courting the Indo-Canadian vote ahead of the 2019 election.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau with their son Xavier and daughter Ella-Grace paying obeisance at Golden Temple in Amritsar, India on February 21, 2018. /VCG Photo

“I don’t know if Justin Trudeau thinks that international trade missions are reality TV shows, but they are not,” Conservative party leader Andrew Scheer, Trudeau’s main opponent, told Reuters.

Trudeau on Tuesday cited one billion Canadian dollars in deals between Canadian and Indian companies announced in Mumbai, and said the trip was “not just about political ties” but improving business and cultural ties.

The Atwal controversy came as the Trudeau family’s ornate traditional Indian attire raised eyebrows, with the prime minister at one point donning formal wear typically worn by bridegrooms.

“FYI we Indians don’t dress like this every day sir, not even in Bollywood,” tweeted Indian politician Omar Abdullah.

Earlier this week, Trudeau rejected suggestions that he had been snubbed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi tweeted a welcome to Trudeau late on Thursday, on the eve of a bilateral meeting between the two, six days after the Canadian leader arrived in the country, adding: “I hope PM @JustinTrudeau and his family had a very enjoyable stay so far.”

Source(s): Reuters