G20 Summit: For Unknown Reasons Justin Trudeau Stayed in an Ordinary Room in Delhi Hotel
NEW DELHI, Sept 21: The Canadian security team created problems for their Indian counterparts by refusing to accept a presidential suit in a hotel booked for the prime minister Justin Trudeau forcing last minute changes in the arrangements during the just-concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi.
Official sources revealed on Thursday that Trudeau’s security team allegedly caused ‘unease’ among Indian security agencies after they refused to let him stay in the presidential suite of a hotel. As per police, the presidential suite was specially booked for the head of the state during the summit.
Trudeau and his contingent stayed at the Lalit Hotel in New Delhi. Sources said a separate suite was booked for him during the summit, in compliance with the Delhi Police’s security arrangements for presidents and world leaders. However, the Canadian Prime Minister did not stay at the suite and his security team booked him a normal room instead.
The Delhi police is still at sea why the Canadian security team refused the suit for their prime minister. “All such decisions are taken by the Prime Minister’s security teams. Several discussions were held and they were assured that the presidential suite would be apt for their leader but they refused. They could have their own reasons,” a police officer said.
During the summit, all the hotels in Delhi were manned by Delhi Police’s security teams and special cell teams. Officers said they had created special zones for heads of state and their teams inside the hotels. Since the Canadian security team refused to accept the room, different arrangements were made, the police said.
“There were no gaps in the security cover. We dealt with the situation and the leader and his contingent stayed in their respective rooms…,” the officer added.
After the summit, Trudeau was forced to stay in New Delhi for two more days due to a technical snag in his aircraft. A second plane was sent to take him but it was also diverted. The issue was resolved after two days.
Relations between India and Canada have been strained after Trudeau accused the “agents of the Government of India” to have links in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He also said that he had raised the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit.
(Manas Dasgupta)
