Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has urged all political parties in Canada to cut ties with Khalistani extremist groups and work to rebuild the country’s broken relationship with India. His message came during a charity event in Brampton, Ontario, where he said India is a key global partner and should not be pushed aside due to past disagreements.
Harper made it clear that groups supporting the idea of Khalistan, a separate Sikh state carved out of India, should not be allowed to influence Canadian politics. He said Canada cannot hope to improve ties with India while supporting movements that aim to divide the country. His comments were aimed at political groups across the spectrum, including his former party, the Conservatives.
Tensions between Canada and India have been high since 2023, when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed, without solid evidence, that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen linked to the Khalistan movement. India strongly rejected the claims and called them absurd. The result was a deep freeze in diplomatic relations. Both countries expelled diplomats and limited embassy functions.
India has long accused Canada of giving a safe space to extremists who support Khalistan. The issue has affected not just diplomatic ties but also business and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
With the recent election of Liberal Party leader Mark Carney as the new Prime Minister, the mood is starting to change. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick to send a congratulatory message to Carney. The message expressed hope for better ties and greater cooperation between the two democracies.
Carney is seen as someone who wants to improve foreign relations. According to diplomatic sources, he has good connections in India, including allies in Modi’s government. Experts believe Carney may focus on improving Canada’s global image and expanding trade partnerships beyond the United States. In recent years, Canada has had trade disputes with the US, and experts say now is a good time for Canada to look at other major partners like India.
Former Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Ajay Bisaria, said that Carney has a chance to repair what was damaged under Trudeau. He believes Carney can lead a new approach that respects India’s concerns while protecting Canada’s democratic values. Experts in trade and diplomacy agree that the global situation is changing and that both Canada and India can benefit from closer ties.
Harper also reflected on his own time in office. He recalled opening a Canadian trade office in Gujarat, India, back in 2009. Gujarat is the home state of Modi. Harper said that decision was made despite pushback from Canadian officials. He felt it was the right move for Canada’s future in Asia. Harper has often supported closer ties with India and sees it as a natural ally in a world with rising global tensions.
The fall of Jagmeet Singh’s New Democratic Party in the latest election could also help the situation. Singh, a known supporter of the Khalistan cause, lost his seat. His party is at risk of losing national status, which means it will have less power in Parliament. This could reduce the influence of pro-Khalistan voices in Canadian politics, something India has been concerned about for years.
India and Canada share many values such as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Both countries are also part of the Commonwealth and have strong personal and cultural ties, especially through the large Indian community in Canada. These people-to-people links have stayed strong even when government ties have been strained.
With Harper’s message, Carney’s fresh start, and signs of goodwill from India, many hope the two countries can begin a new chapter. There will still be challenges, especially around security and intelligence cooperation, but both sides seem ready to talk.
