Optimism in India after Carney’s election victory
INDIA is optimistic about building up its troubled bilateral relations with Canada following the election of Mark Carney as the leader of that country.
Ties hit bottom during the tenure of Justin Trudeau following his allegations regarding the Indian role in the killing of Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. On 18 June 2023,
Nijjar was sitting in his pickup truck at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, when he was shot and killed by two masked men.
As against Trudeau’s hardcore stand, Carney this week signalled that he might reset ties with New Delhi, describing the relationship with India as “incredibly important.”
Carney told the media: “It’s an incredibly important relationship, the Canada-India relationship, on many levels. On the personal level, Canadians have deep personal ties, economically and strategically.”
“There are strains on that relationship that we didn’t cause, to be clear, but there is a path forward to address those with mutual respect and to build out," he said.
Based on Carney’s statement, India is optimistic about expanding its trade with Canada.
Carney has openly stated his intent to diversify Canada’s economic partnerships by working with "like-minded countries," specifically naming India as a key player.
His remarks also hint at the revival of the stalled Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) talks, which were shelved amid escalating political tensions.
Experts opine that under Carney’s leadership, immigration policies are also expected to remain favourable, particularly for Indian professionals and students. His economic background suggests a continued push to attract top talent to support Canada’s innovation and skilled workforce needs.
Improved diplomatic ties could result in increased student and work visa approvals, faster permanent residency processing, and greater mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
While suspicions remain among Indians due to the rigid American policies under Donald Trump, it is hoped that Canada will open a new, tension-free path, especially for the young generation.
