He was meant to fly on Sunday after the G20 summit ended but an embarrassing mechanical snag grounded him.

Opponents at home and Indian social media users mocked him for the delay, which came after Mr Trudeau had a tense meeting with Indian PM Narendra Modi. Canada-India relations have grown increasingly strained in recent months.

Days before he flew to Delhi, Mr Trudeau unexpectedly said his country was pausing talks on a trade treaty between the two countries.

Protests by Canada’s large Sikh population have been a major flashpoint in the tensions. India is concerned about the activities of Sikh separatists – it denies any hand in the murder of a prominent advocate of Sikh independence in British Columbia in June.

In Sunday’s meeting with Mr Trudeau, Mr Modi aired concerns about the “continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada” and said they were promoting secessionism and inciting violence, according to his office.

Meanwhile, Mr Trudeau’s team said the Canadian prime minister had “raised the importance of respecting the rule of law, democratic principles, and national sovereignty”.

Mr Trudeau later told a press conference he had also discussed foreign interference in Canada’s affairs with Mr Modi. Canada is including India in its sweeping investigation into election interference, which is also looking into China and Russia.

Eyebrows were raised when the Canadian prime minister didn’t attend a weekend dinner for world leaders hosted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu – reports said his office didn’t give a reason. Some observers also thought he was quick to pull out of a handshake with Mr Modi.