Justin Trudeau in India updates: India, Canada hail friendship in statement, Modi says won't tolerate those who challenge unity

On his visit to India, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has gone to a lot of places. He has been to the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, Golden Temple in Amritsar and Jama Masjid in New Delhi.

He has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh.

Yet, for some reason, the ones who are most excited (at least on Twitter) about Trudeau’s visit to India seem to be Tamilians.

#Tamils4JustinTrudeau is trending on Twitter. This fact becomes stranger when takes into consideration that Trudeau has neither visited Tamil Nadu nor said anything particularly focused on the Tamil community.

Visuals from Trudeau-Modi joint press conference

India is a natural partner and a trusted friend says Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau at the press remarks at Hyderabad House pic.twitter.com/kZYTx5YcBt

— Vikas Swarup (@VikasSwarup) February 23, 2018

MEA refers to Canadian side as ‘Iranian’ on its official website

Committed to building friendship with Canadian-based with Indian community: Modi

“We are committed to building friendliness with the Canadian-based Indian community and seeking active participation in India’s progress. India-Canada is a natural partnership of shared values. I hope to have more robust partnership between the two countries and the bright future of our two countries.”

कनाडा स्थित भारतीय समुदाय के साथ मित्रता के निर्माण हेतु हम प्रतिबद्ध हैं और भारत की प्रगति में उनकी सक्रिय भागीदारी चाहते हैं। भारत-कनाडा साझा मूल्यों की एक स्वाभाविक साझेदारी है। मुझे दोनों देशों के बीच अधिक मजबूत साझेदारी और हमारे दोनों देशों के उज्ज्वल भविष्य की आशा है: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 23, 2018

Six MoUs signed between Canada and India

MoUs were signed on energy, higher education, trade and investment, sports etc. You can read the full list on the official MEA website.

Canada looks to diversify its own economy: Justin Trudeau

As #Canada looks to diversify its own economy and looks for new opportunities to do business beyond its boundaries, India is a natural partner and a trusted friend for commercial cooperation: #JustinTrudeau pic.twitter.com/39Xht4ECab

— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018

Will not tolerate those who try to divide country, says Modi

There should be no space for those who misuse religion for political motives and promote separatism. We will not tolerate those who challenge unity and integrity of our countries: PM Modi

— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018

India is a trusted friend: Trudeau

“As Canada looks to do business beyond borders, India is a natural partner and trusted friend in commercial operations,” says Justin Trudeau.

‘Talked about how to come together to benefit both Indians and Canada’: Trudeau

“I thank Prime Minister Modi for his warm reception here. We share, not only a rich history, but a natural friendship between the two nations. I’m glad to say we wrapped up a productive meeting and discussed mutual interests. 

First, talked about how to come together to benefit both Indians and Canada.”

Terrorism, extremism threats to pluralistic societies: Modi

“We have agreed to strengthen our security cooperation. Terrorism and extremism are threats to democratic, pluralistic societies like India and Canada. It is important to come together to combat these.”

हम अपने सुरक्षा सहयोग को सुदृढ़ करने पर सहमत हुए हैं।
आतंकवाद और उग्रवाद भारत और कनाडा जैसे लोकतांत्रिक, बहुलवादी समाजों के लिए खतरा हैं। इन ताकतों का मुकाबला करने के लिए हमारा साथ आना महत्वपूर्ण है: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 23, 2018

‘Those challenging the sovereignty, unity and integrity of our countries cannot even be tolerated’: Modi

धर्म का राजनीतिक उद्देश्य के लिए दुरूपयोग करने वालों को और बॅंटवारे की खाई खोदने वालों के लिए कोई जगह नहीं होनी चाहिए।

हमारे देशों की संप्रभुता, एकता और अखंडता को चुनौती देने वालों को भी बर्दाश्त नहीं किया जा सकता: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 23, 2018

‘Happy you visited with your family’

Your visit awaited since long, we are happy that you visited along with your family :PM Modi to Canadian PM #JustinTrudeau pic.twitter.com/wmHQr6BbuM

— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018

WATCH: Narendra Modi-Justin Trudeau to address joint press conference

#WATCH Live: Press statements by PM Modi & Canadian PM #JustinTrudeau in Delhi. https://t.co/VvKxi6RuQp

— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018

Justin Trudeau and Narendra Modi discuss trade, investment at delegation-level talks

Taking the relationship forward! PM @narendramodi and Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau discussed strengthening cooperation in trade & investment, energy, education, healthcare, IT, start up, science & technology, defence and security, tourism and people-to-people contacts. pic.twitter.com/OS7wj84IcE

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 23, 2018

‘Stop trying so hard’: Indians to Justin Trudeau

The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, is known to go to extreme lengths to project himself as part of a cause. It is very evident on his India trip where he can been wearing dazzling sherwanis and performing bhangra at a Canada House event or wearing kurtas to the Golden Temple. Social media users were quick to latch on to this and began saying that ‘it was too Indian even for Indians’. According to  NDTV, Vivek Dehejia, an economics professor in Ottawa told Canada’s Global News, “It’s a little over the top. I understand on day one having to wear the traditional clothes, but now it’s getting too much.”

Visuals of Indian, Canadian media waiting for Modi-Trudeau’s joint statement

All the Indian media waiting for the joint statements from @JustinTrudeau and @narendramodi. pic.twitter.com/wJImMsoavQ

— Abigail Bimman (@AbigailBimman) February 23, 2018

‘New momentum in relationship!’ 

New momentum in the relationship! PM @narendramodi received Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks. pic.twitter.com/41Coy83qw6

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 23, 2018

India-Canada ties show signs of tension since Justin Trudeau began his India trip

Ties between India and Canada have shown signs of tension ever since Trudeau began his visit to India.

First off, Modi not receiving his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau at the airport, a courtesy he extended to some world leaders in the past, had triggered speculation in Canada that it was a snub to him for the rising Sikh radicalism in that country.

There were stories in Canadian media that said Trudeau’s perceived support for Sikh separatists may be the reason for the “snub”.

The Sikhs in Canada wield significant political clout and Trudeau’s Cabinet has four Sikh members. The (government) sources said the prime minister received around five leaders at the airport during the last three-and-half years which included the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former US president Barack Obama, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan twice.

Images of Narendra Modi and Justin Trudeau at Hyderabad House

Delegation-level talks are underway at the moment. 

PM @narendramodi with PM of Canada @JustinTrudeau at Hyderabad House pic.twitter.com/zufzfuwz0Z

— PIB India (@PIB_India) February 23, 2018

Delegation-level talks to take place at 12.30 pm

As per the Canadian prime minister’s website, Justin Trudeau, along with the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Navdeep Bains, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland, the Minister of Defence, Harjit Sajjan, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Amarjeet Sohi, the Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, Kirsty Duncan, and the Minister of Small Business and Tourism, Bardish Chagger will hold an expanded bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House.

WATCH: Narendra Modi meets Canadian PM Justin Trudeau at Hyderabad House

PM @narendramodi meets Visiting PM of Canada @JustinTrudeau at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.#AIRVideos: Shiela pic.twitter.com/1jLFHiVjoV

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) February 23, 2018

Justin Trudeau and Narendra Modi meet at Hyderabad House

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Canadian Prime Minister #JustinTrudeau at #Delhi's Hyderabad House, to hold delegation level talks later. pic.twitter.com/zoQTiZ8E2f

— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018

Modi-Trudeau meet next on agenda

At 12 pm, Justin Trudeau is scheduled to meet Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House.

More visuals from Justin Trudeau’s meet with Sushma Swaraj

Canadian Prime Minister #JustinTrudeau meets EAM Sushma Swaraj in #Delhi. pic.twitter.com/9ta68iML8Y

— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018

Union minister Harsimrat Badal Kaur misses the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Sorry to miss the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan and lunch at Hyderabad House today, with Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau , due to prior commitment to the people of my constituency, who will be waiting for me at a rally in Sardulgarh.

— Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) February 23, 2018

Images from Trudeau’s visit to Rajghat earlier

#Delhi: Canadian Prime Minister #JustinTrudeau & his family pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. pic.twitter.com/M3sDqfgmPy

— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2018

Justin Trudeau meets Sushma Swaraj, discuss ways to strengthen partnership

Picture speaks for itself! EAM @SushmaSwaraj had a warm meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada @JustinTrudeau and discussed ways to strengthen and deepen our partnership. pic.twitter.com/4nB1QmwgQT

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 23, 2018

More images of Justin Trudeau meeting Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan

PM @narendramodi welcomes Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau & his Family during the Ceremonial Reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/y4AUq1rYUw

— PIB India (@PIB_India) February 23, 2018

Harsimrat Badal urges Justin Trudeau to launch Amritsar-Toronto flights

Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday urged Trudeau to start Toronto-Amritsar Air Canada flights on the sidelines of the India-Canada business session, reported Hindustan Times.

WATCH: Justin Trudeau pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat

Paying homage to the Father of the Nation. PM @JustinTrudeau and family pay floral tributes at the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi pic.twitter.com/an2QcIpmP1

— Vikas Swarup (@VikasSwarup) February 23, 2018

More photos from Justin Trudeau’s official welcome ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan

As PM @JustinTrudeau receives ceremonial welcome at @rashtrapatibhvn on his State Visit to India, take a look at the strategic partnership b/w #IndiaCanada based on the shared values of democracy & pluralismhttps://t.co/OymNDhFhwF pic.twitter.com/Mm6VP1607E

— Indian Diplomacy (@IndianDiplomacy) February 23, 2018

Is Justin Trudeau’s trip a total disaster?

Writing for  The Washington Post, journalist Barkha Dutt says that the unusual length of Trudeau’s trip may help explain why it began on a “discordant note”. The editorial quotes government sources as saying that India had requested Canada to shorten Trudeau’s trip or sequence it differently, beginning with political talks. However, that did not happen. “India wanted to start the trip with political talks before Trudeau played tourist. The Canadians disagreed. Also, the Canadians expected Modi to accompany Trudeau to his home state of Gujarat, just as he had done with Shinzo Abe, Xi Jinping and Benjamain Netanyahu. India declined.”

Journalist who protested Narendra Modi’s 2015 Canada visit is part of Justin Trudeau’s delegation visiting India

According to  The Indian Express, Canadian journalist Manvir Singh Saini, who had protested Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 visit to Canada, is part of Justin Trudeau’s media delegation and has accompanied him to all official events so far. 

In 2015, photos of Saini holding banners that read “Modi is a Terrorist”, “Modi you are not welcome in Canada”, and “India out of Khalistan” had gone viral at the time.

Trudeau to head to Rajghat next

Following his official welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau will move to the Rajghat next, where he will lay a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial.

WATCH: Canada PM Justin Trudeau meets Indian delegation

#LIVE -- Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau meets Indian delegation #TrudeauInIndia pic.twitter.com/6xQb3SIu43

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 23, 2018

WATCH: Narendra Modi hugs Justin Trudeau, welcomes family in New Delhi 

PM @narendramodi welcomes his Canadian counterpart @JustinTrudeau & his family at @rashtrapatibhvn in #NewDelhi pic.twitter.com/smRvWXEcYc

— DD News (@DDNewslive) February 23, 2018