Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, received a lukewarm welcome at the start of his official India visit, with some claiming he had been "snubbed" by New Delhi over his support of Sikh separatists.

After landing on Saturday, Mr Trudeau was received by a junior agricultural minister and only by district officials when he visited the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra a day later.

His welcome stands in stark contrast to heads of foreign governments who have been personally received at New Delhi’s airport by prime minister Narendra Modi himself, known for his warm public embraces with world leaders.

Mr Trudeau was also not afforded the usual fanfare of being greeted by the provincial chief minister of northern Uttar Pradesh state, where Agra is located.

Diplomatic sources said by "downgrading" these subtle arrangements, Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was "indicating" its displeasure over Mr Trudeau attending an event organised by Sikhs in Toronto last May that featured posters and flags demanding the Sikh homeland of Khalistan.