As Canada embarks on a new era of diplomacy post-Trudeau, Mark Carney’s arrival presents a fresh start for Ottawa and New Delhi to mend their strained ties.
The departure of Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister has created an opportunity for Ottawa and New Delhi to mend their strained diplomatic ties. With Mark Carney at the helm, there is a chance to rebuild relationships that have been damaged over the past two years.
Justin Trudeau was born on December 25, 1971, in Ottawa, Canada.
He is the son of Pierre Trudeau, the 15th Prime Minister of Canada.
Justin Trudeau graduated from McGill University and later earned a Master's degree in education.
Before entering politics, he taught French at West Point Grey Academy in Vancouver.
Trudeau was first elected as an MP in 2008 and became leader of the Liberal Party in 2013.
He won the federal election in 2015 and has been serving as Prime Minister since November 4, 2015.
The Fractured Relationship
Ties between India and Canada plummeted to historic lows in 2023 when Trudeau linked the death of Sikh separatist leader ‘Hardeep Singh Nijjar’ to Indian government agents. New Delhi angrily denied any involvement, and the two countries expelled each other’s top diplomats and suspended trade negotiations.
A Technocratic Approach
Carney, who has served as head of the central bank in both Canada and the UK, is seen as having a globally oriented perspective on foreign ties. His technocratic approach could help Ottawa build stronger relationships with India, particularly in areas such as trade, investment, and fighting climate change.
Momentum for Reconciliation
Recent informal contacts between former diplomats and experts from both nations suggest there is momentum to put the contentious issues aside and focus on mutual interests. David McKinnon, a former senior Canadian diplomat, believes that President ‘Trump’s upending of Canada’s relationship with the US’ might inadvertently help Ottawa and New Delhi bury the hatchet.
Pragmatic Approaches
Canada has ‘a lot to do’ to rebuild the relationship with India, according to Ajay Bisaria, India’s former envoy to Canada. A natural inflection point for a reset in ties could be Carney‘s arrival, with pathways including resuming high commissioners, inviting India to a G7 summit, and progressing a trade agreement.
Key to Progress
Shanthie Mariet D’Souza, founder of Indian independent research forum Mantraya, emphasizes the need for Canada to address India’s primary concern: the perceived leniency towards Sikh militancy. The appointment of India’s high commissioner to Canada could be a key indicator of progress in restoring diplomatic ties.
A New Chapter
As Carney navigates Ottawa’s complex foreign policy landscape, the world is watching to see if he can help Canada and India put their differences aside and forge a new chapter in their bilateral relationship.
