A Fresh Take on India-Canada Relations: Scope for Renewal
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends congrats to Mark Carney, hinting at potential improvements in relations amidst strained Canada-India ties.
India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, extended a warm congratulations to the newly elected Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, sparking hopes of mending India-Canada ties that have been strained for quite sometime. In a tweet, PM Modi expressed excitement about working together to beef up their partnership and unearth new possibilities for their citizens.
Embracing common democratic values and strong bond by diaspora connections, Modi highlighted, "India and Canada share democratic values, an unwavering loyalty to law, and lively people connections."
The recent outreach comes against the backdrop of faltering bilateral relations, instigated by Canadian allegations of Indian involvement in the 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian national and prominent Khalistan separatist, outside Vancouver. New Delhi firmly denied these claims, resulting in a tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats and a freeze in diplomatic relations.
Canada harbors a substantial Sikh population outside India, and Ottawa's stance on pro-Khalistan activities has been a subject of endless debates. India has consistently pressured for stringent actions against the separatist movement, proscribed in the country and implicated in terrorist acts like the assassination of an Indian prime minister and the bombing of Air India in 1985.
Carney's leadership could pave the way for fresh talks, with New Delhi expressing intention to move forward, contingent upon the resolution of important security matters.
Inside the Struggle and Potential Breakthroughs
Past Challenges:
Controversies have plagued India-Canada relations, notably during Justin Trudeau's premiership, with key disputes including:
- Death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar: Diplomatic tensions spiked in 2023 over Canada's allegation of Indian complicity in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Khalistani terrorist, outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. India vehemently rejected these accusations[1].
- Diplomatic Fallout: This led to the expulsion of top diplomats and a halt in trade negotiations[1].
- Khalistan Issue: The Khalistan issue remains a contentious topic, especially given the involvement of Canadian political leaders like Jagmeet Singh of the New Democratic Party, known for their pro-Khalistan stance[4].
Future Opportunities:
Mark Carney's election as Canadian Prime Minister in 2025 brings potential for resurging India-Canada ties:
- Mending Fences: Carney aims to rebuild India-Canada relations and prioritizes expanding Canada's commercial relationships with likeminded nations, viewing India as a crucial partner for this objective[1][5].
- Economic Collaboration: Both countries can reap benefits from enhanced economic cooperation. India can attract Canadian investments and technology, while Canada can benefit from India as a critical minerals, technology, and innovation market[2].
- Geopolitical Alignment: Amidst the evolving global geopolitical landscape, both India and Canada can align their interests to counterbalance their dependence on other major powers like the U.S. and China, thereby fortifying their positions in an ever-changing world[2][5].
- Cultural Connections: PM Modi has expressed interest in fostering deeper people-to-people connections between India and Canada, suggesting a willingness to increase cultural and educational exchanges that could bolster mutual understanding[5].
In essence, while there are formidable challenges in India-Canada relations, Mark Carney's leadership presents opportunities for diplomatic reconciliation, economic prosperity, and strategic cooperation.
- In 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mark Carney on his election as the Canadian Prime Minister, expressing excitement about potential collaboration and the opportunity to repair the strained India-Canada relations.
- Narendra Modi acknowledged the shared democratic values, unwavering loyalty to law, and strong people connections between India and Canada, which he sees as the basis for a renewed partnership between the two nations.
- One of the key concerns in past India-Canada relations has been the Khalistan issue, with Canadian political leaders like Jagmeet Singh known for their pro-Khalistan stance and Canada's alleged support for separatist activities.
- As Canada's new Prime Minister, Mark Carney emphasizes the importance of rebuilding India-Canada relations and expanding commercial relationships with like-minded nations, including India, while also focusing on economic cooperation, geopolitical alignment, and strengthening cultural connections.
