Mark Carney Wins Canadian Election, PM Modi Signals Reset in India-Canada Ties
Mark Carney’s Liberal Party clinched a fourth term in Canada’s 2025 election, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend congratulations and signal a diplomatic reset with Ottawa.
In a stunning political comeback, the Liberal Party under Mark Carney secured a fourth consecutive mandate in the Canadian House of Commons. Carney’s win comes amid declining popularity under outgoing PM Justin Trudeau, whose tenure was marked by deepening tensions with India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick to congratulate Carney and the Liberals. “India and Canada are bound by shared democratic values, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, and vibrant people-to-people ties,” Modi posted on X, adding that he looked forward to strengthening the bilateral partnership.
Carney’s elevation is being viewed in diplomatic circles as a potential reset in India-Canada relations, which nosedived after Trudeau’s 2023 accusation implicating Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
During his campaign, Carney struck a conciliatory tone. “There are strains on that relationship that we didn’t cause… but there is a path forward to address those with mutual respect,” he said at a campaign event. He also described India as “an incredibly important relationship” for Canada’s future.
Carney has previously emphasized rebuilding trade ties with India as part of Canada’s broader effort to diversify away from its dependence on the United States. “If I’m Prime Minister, I look forward to the opportunity to build that,” he told reporters in Alberta.
His comments also reflected Ottawa’s shifting foreign policy calculus amid strained ties with both Washington and Beijing. In his victory speech, Carney declared, “Canada will never be part of America in any way,” highlighting a commitment to national autonomy.
India-Canada relations have been periodically strained over the Khalistan issue. The lowest point came in 2023, when Trudeau publicly accused India of involvement in Nijjar’s killing—a charge India vehemently denied as “absurd” and “politically motivated.”
The fallout included the expulsion of diplomats, frozen trade talks, and suspended high-level visits. India has consistently accused Canada of tolerating anti-India extremism, particularly in British Columbia.
Carney’s moderate tone has sparked cautious optimism in New Delhi, though analysts warn that rebuilding trust will require concrete policy shifts. Strategic, economic, and diaspora-based interests could serve as the foundation for future cooperation.
If Carney follows through on his campaign promises, observers believe a bilateral reset could take shape in the coming months, particularly in areas like education, tech partnerships, and skilled immigration.
