The Canadian federal election of 28 April 2025 delivered a seismic shift in the country’s political landscape, with the defeat of Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) and a figure associated with Khalistan sympathies, marking a pivotal moment for India-Canada relations. Singh, who lost his Burnaby Central seat to Liberal candidate Wade Chang and saw the NDP collapse to just eight seats, announced his resignation, ending a tenure that often strained bilateral ties. India has long criticised Canada for providing a safe haven to Khalistan activists, viewing figures like Singh as enablers of separatist rhetoric that threatens its sovereignty. His electoral rout, coupled with the Liberal Party’s majority win under Prime Minister Mark Carney, offers India a strategic opportunity to recalibrate its relationship with Canada.

The Khalistan movement, seeking a separate Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab, has been a contentious issue, with Canada’s 770,000-strong Sikh community playing a significant role in its diaspora-driven activism. Singh’s vocal support for Khalistan-related causes, including his calls for sanctions against India over the 2023 killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, exacerbated diplomatic tensions. India rejected these allegations as baseless, pointing to Canada’s failure to provide evidence. The 2025 election outcome, reducing the NDP’s influence, could diminish the political space for such activism, aligning with India’s long-standing demands for action against separatism. As Carney signals a pragmatic approach, prioritising trade and mutual respect, India stands at a crossroads.

Jagmeet Singh’s defeat and the Liberal Party’s decisive victory under Mark Carney present India with a rare opportunity to reset its fraught relationship with Canada. Bilateral ties hit a low under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose reliance on Singh’s NDP for his minority government amplified tensions over the Khalistan issue. Singh’s calls for sanctions against India, particularly after the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and his criticism of India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) fuelled a diplomatic war, with both nations expelling diplomats. India consistently denied........

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