News Brief
With Trudeau Out, India Signals Diplomatic Reset With Canada Under New PM Carney: Report
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (File Photo)
India and Canada are preparing to restore their diplomatic relations to normal levels after an uncertainty lasting about 18 months, reported The Indian Express.
This development comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Canada’s newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney on his Liberal Party’s recent electoral victory.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Congratulations @MarkJCarney on your election as the Prime Minister of Canada and to the Liberal Party on their victory.”
“India and Canada are bound by shared democratic values, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, and vibrant people-to-people ties. I look forward to working with you to strengthen our partnership and unlock greater opportunities for our people,” Modi added.
The diplomatic freeze began in late 2023 following allegations by Canadian authorities that India was involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistan terrorist living in Canada.
India strongly denied these claims, calling them “absurd,” which led to a serious diplomatic fallout.
The strained relations also coincided with the political climate in Canada, where the former prime minister Justin Trudeau and New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh were viewed by India as sympathetic to separatist causes.
With the Liberal Party’s victory under Mark Carney, a former Bank of England governor and economist known for his pragmatic approach, India anticipates a more constructive engagement.
Carney’s win was seen as a rejection of populist politics, particularly in contrast to former US President Donald Trump’s protectionist stance, which had indirectly affected Canada.
PM Modi’s outreach to Carney signals India’s willingness to move past the recent diplomatic crisis and focus on rebuilding ties.
Plans are underway to appoint Dinesh Patnaik, currently India’s ambassador to Spain, as the new High Commissioner to Canada, The Indian Express reported citing sources.
