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Justin Trudeau To Visit India In February

The Canadian Press, 20 Dec, 2017 12:27 PM

OTTAWA — An Indian news outlet is reporting that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will visit India in February and may pay a visit to the Punjab region's famed Golden Temple.

The Indian Express reports that an advance team from the PMO logistics branch visited Amritsar this week and is checking possible locations.

The Prime Minister's Office says it has people in India exploring trip opportunities, but won't confirm a visit.

Trudeau has made deepening economic ties with India a priority and recently completed his second visit to China as part of diversifying the government's trade agenda.

Hindus and Muslims make up the majority of India's pluralistic society, with Sikhs just a small fraction.

But a large and politically active Sikh population in Canada has made the Golden Temple an attractive destination for Canadian politicians.

Former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper visited the site in 2009 and then-prime minister Jean Chretien was there in 2003.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs Protocol Officer Gajraj Bhati said it was only an initial visit and the team will take a call where all Canadian PM will go.

“The team will go back and announce what to do. They will inform us officially,” Bhati said, adding that depending on the call Canada takes, Trudeau “may or may not” visit Golden Temple. He said, if it was decided that Canadian PM will visit Golden Temple, Punjab government will be informed in advance.

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