Trudeau ends India trip with a hug

New Delhi: After a controversy-mired seven days in India, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finally received an all-important hug. Arriving at an official reception in New Delhi on Friday, Trudeau was at last met by his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who clasped the Canadian leader in his arms.

Following bilateral talks, the two leaders appeared side-by-side at a press conference on Friday afternoon. Trudeau, who leaves India on Saturday, reiterated the two countries rich shared history and natural kinship. Discussing the possibility of expanding trade links, Trudeau described India as "a natural partner and a trusted friend for commercial cooperation."

Modi, too, appeared to underscore the links between the two countries. "India has attached a high importance to pursuing its strategic partnership with Canada. Our ties are based on democracy, pluralism, the supremacy of law and the mutual interaction."

Trudeau's India trip has been at times overshadowed by a series of poorly-judged missteps and unfortunate headlines, including the suggestion he had been deliberately "snubbed" by Modi over the Canadian government's alleged indulgence of Sikh separatists.

The fact that the two leaders didn't meet -- and hug -- until seven days into the trip, has played in stark contrast with the recent visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who just last month was greeted with a trademark bear hug by Modi immediately upon landing in Delhi. Other recipients of Modi's exuberant embrace include current and former US presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama.

Addressing the issue of extremism during the press conference, Modi said terrorism was a "threat to countries like ours and to fight these elements it is important for us to come together."

Modi's comments follow revelations Thursday that a militant Sikh separatist convicted of attempting to murder an Indian politician in Canada had been invited to dine with Trudeau at the Canadian High Commissioner's residence in New Delhi. The official invitation, which was later rescinded, stirred outrage in parts of India, where the issue of Sikh separatism remains a highly charged and emotive topic.

Though he didn't reference Sikh separatism by name, Modi added that "there should be no space for those who seek to divide communities and promote separatism. We will not tolerate those who challenge unity and integrity of our countries."