Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau could not return to his country immediately after attending the G20 Summit in India last week, because the plane he was on suddenly experienced engine problems or broke down.
Trudeau and the entire Canadian delegation were forced to extend their visit to New Delhi a day later than scheduled. This is as reported by AFP and The Guardian, Monday (11/9/2023).
Trudeau arrived in India to attend the G20 Summit on Friday (8/9) last week. He is scheduled to return to Canada on Sunday (10/9) local time, after attending a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial to Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi.
However, an engine failure on the plane carrying him and the Canadian delegation meant Trudeau had to stay another night in India.
When asked about the incident, the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi referred to a statement by the Canadian PM's office which said that the Canadian Air Force, which operated the plane carrying Trudeau, had informed the Canadian delegation that the plane was 'experiencing technical problems'.
"This issue will not be fixed overnight, our delegation will stay in India until arrangements are made," the Canadian PM's office said in a statement.
Local Canadian media CTV in its report identified the plane carrying Trudeau and his entourage as an Airbus. It was also reported by CTV that it was not clear when the plane would be able to fly back to Canada.
According to the CTV report, this kind of incident is 'not the first time' this has happened to the plane.
Trudeau's presence at the G20 Summit was not as heralded as the leaders of other G7 member countries, who also attended the G20 Summit in India. Trudeau visited New Delhi amid tensions between the Canadian and Indian governments over Ottawa's handling of right-wing Sikh separatist groups.
India has accused Canada of turning a blind eye to the activities of a radical Sikh national group seeking a separate homeland in northern India.
Meanwhile regarding the damaged plane, Trudeau is not the only world figure to have been the victim of a similar incident in recent months. Last August, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was forced to cancel a visit to Ocenia after the government plane she was on had problems and she was forced to return to Abu Dhabi.
Last June, the New Zealand Armed Forces plane carrying Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to China was deemed unreliable, so another plane had to be deployed as a backup. Several former New Zealand PMs, such as Dame Jacinda Ardern and Sir John Key, were previously trapped during a visit abroad because the Boeing 757 and RNZAF Hercules planes they were traveling in were damaged.