NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Mark Carney on his election as Canada’s new Prime Minister following the Liberal Party’s dramatic comeback in the federal elections, a result that not only ends Justin Trudeau’s controversial tenure but also signals a possible reset in strained India-Canada relations.
Congratulating Carney and the Liberal Party, Modi said: “I look forward to working with you to strengthen our partnership and unlock greater opportunities for our people.” He added: “India and Canada are bound by shared democratic values, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, and vibrant people-to-people ties.”
Carney’s victory may offer a chance to recalibrate the bilateral relationship, which had reached a low under Trudeau, especially after his remarks following the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023 and his platforming of pro-Khalistani voices, actions New Delhi viewed as interference in India’s internal affairs.
A former central banker, Carney has pledged to prioritise diplomacy, multilateralism, and unity, values New Delhi hopes will shape a more pragmatic approach to diaspora politics and bilateral engagement with India.
Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) and a vocal supporter of Sikh separatist causes, was one of the major casualties of the election. He lost his seat in the redrawn Burnaby Central riding and resigned as party leader after the NDP’s disastrous performance, with its seat count collapsing from 24 to around 7.
It marked a steep fall from political prominence for Singh and the NDP, which had been the third-largest party in the Canadian Parliament for nearly eight years.
In his concession speech, Singh said: “I want to take a moment to congratulate Prime Minister Carney on his victory. He has an important job to do to represent all Canadians and to protect our country and its sovereignty from the threats of Donald Trump. Tonight and every night, all of us here, we’re on Team Canada.”
Trudeau had relied on the NDP’s support to remain in power for four years. However, the alliance collapsed last September when Singh accused Trudeau of bowing to corporate interests.
This election marked Singh’s third federal campaign and his tenure as the first ethnic minority leader of a major federal party in Canada.
Carney’s campaign successfully tapped into nationalist momentum after Donald Trump’s comments, including the suggestion that Canada become the “51st state” galvanised public sentiment and triggered a backlash that buoyed the Liberals.
In his victory speech in Ottawa, Carney stressed unity and reiterated a core message from his campaign: that the post-World War II model of Canada-U.S. cooperation had run its course, and Canada must assert its sovereignty and leadership on the global stage.
