Vancouver-based celebrity chef Vikram Vij, a vocal Liberal supporter, was flown to India on the government鈥檚 dime to cook for a group of top diplomats, 麻豆传媒 has learned.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been travelling across India with his family in hopes of boosting business ties with the South Asian nation.

The government flew Vij to India to help prepare Indian cuisine for a reception at the residence of the Canadian High Commissioner on Thursday.

Vij鈥檚 flight and hotel were paid for by taxpayers鈥� dollars, 麻豆传媒 has learned.

In a statement to 麻豆传媒, a government spokesperson confirmed that Vij was invited to the reception and that his 鈥渙ut-of-pocket expenses鈥� are being covered.

鈥淲here appropriate, it is accepted practice for Canadian missions to invite 鈥巆hefs from Canada to showcase Canadian food products and cuisine. Vikram Vij 鈥巌s a prominent Indo-Canadian whose Vancouver restaurants are world-renowned for melding Canadian ingredients and the traditions of Indian cuisine,鈥� the spokesperson said in a statement.

鈥淢r. Vij generously offered a week of his time, away from his Canadian business, to assist with the menu and food preparation for the Canada Reception. (Global Affairs Canada) is undertaking to cover his out-of-pocket expenses (eg. airfare and accommodation). Mr Vij's involvement will contribute to make the event a memorable celebration of the Canada-India friendship.鈥�

Vij publically threw his support behind Trudeau ahead of the 2015 federal election. He even helped fire up a crowd in Vancouver during one of Trudeau鈥檚 campaign rallies.

In March 2015, after meeting the acclaimed chef.

The celebrity chef started his culinary empire with the acclaimed restaurant Vij鈥檚, opened in Vancouver in 1994.