Image Courtesy: Reuters The Trudeaus at the Taj
For a man whose PR strategy is one of the most carefully crafted among world leaders, Narendra Modi scored a self goal when he acted in a manner unbecoming of a nation’s Prime Minister. In a move that is being touted and even hailed by Modi supporters as a ‘royal snub’, not only did Modi fail to receive Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the airport, he also failed to either host a grand banquet in Turdeau’s honour or accompany him on any official visits.
Modi also did not tweet about Trudeau’s visit even once. This only goes on to show Modi in poor light as he appears petty, churlish and un-statemanlike. Previous international dignitaries like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu have had the red carpet rolled out for them and lavish feasts thrown in their honour. Giving Trudeau the cold shoulder is rather ridiculous, given how he is vising India at Modi’s invitation.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was also conspicuous by her absence at Trudeau’s welcome. She also did not tweet anything about the Trudeau visit. Welcoming was left to junior ministers and diplomats. Speculation is ripe that the ‘snub’ might have to do with Canada’s alleged support for Khalistanis, an allegation that holds little water. The Khalistani connection does not stick as merely having Sikh Canadians in one’s cabinet does not make one a Khalistani sympathiser.
But none of this has put a dimmer on Trudeau’s now famous exuberance. He was seen beaming with his wife and three children as they visited the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Akshardham Temple in Gujarat and an elephant sanctuary in Mathura.
