During the recent G20 Summit held in Delhi, a decision by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s security team to refuse to stay in the presidential suite at a prominent hotel in the capital stirred unease among Indian security agencies, according to police sources.

Traditionally, the presidential suite is reserved for the head of state during such high-profile events. However, it has come to light that Prime Minister Trudeau opted for a regular room during his stay at the Lalit Hotel in New Delhi, The Indian Express reported.

While a separate suite had been arranged for him in line with Delhi Police’s security protocols for world leaders, Trudeau’s security team opted for an alternative arrangement.

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“All such decisions are taken by the Prime Minister’s security teams. Several discussions were held, and they were assured that the presidential suite would be apt for their leader, but they refused. They could have their own reasons,” IE quoted an unnamed police source as saying.

Relations between India and Canada have been strained recently with the expulsion of senior diplomats from both countries. This tension escalated after Trudeau mentioned a “potential link” between “agents of the Government of India” and the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar during the summit. Trudeau also indicated that he raised this issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the recent G20 Summit.

Throughout the summit, Delhi Police’s security teams and special cell units were responsible for overseeing security at Lutyens’ hotels, where they had established special zones for heads of state and their teams. In response to the Canadian security team’s refusal of the presidential suite, alternative arrangements were swiftly made to ensure the safety and comfort of the leader and his delegation.

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An officer involved in the security operations said, “There were no gaps in the security cover. We dealt with the situation, and the leader and his contingent stayed in their respective rooms.”

Following the summit’s conclusion, Prime Minister Trudeau faced an unexpected delay when his aircraft encountered a technical issue. A second plane was dispatched to transport him, but it too faced diversions. However, the issue was resolved after a two-day delay, allowing Trudeau to depart from New Delhi as planned.