Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has urged Ottawa to move past its diplomatic standoff with India, calling the country an “indispensable partner in a volatile world” and warning political parties to cut ties with Khalistani extremists.
Harper’s remarks come as a potential turning point in Canada-India relations, with a newly elected government in Ottawa signalling its desire to rebuild bridges after a year of escalating tensions.
“There is no reason why countries like Canada and India cannot be those enlightened voices working together,” Harper said on Saturday at the IMEC Canada-India Charity Gala in Brampton, Ontario, where he received an award from a group promoting bilateral business ties.
“We can and should do this by putting our recent disputes behind us.”
Harper issued a strong call for Canadian political parties — including his own former Conservative Party — to “sever” connections with those advocating for Khalistan, carved out of India.
“Those who seek to bring the battles of India’s past to Canada have no place in our political discourse,” he said, referring to the extremist movement.
“Parties cannot hope to build a strong relationship with India while maintaining links with groups that aim to divide modern India.”
While acknowledging the democratic rights of all Canadians, Harper underscored that Khalistani extremists should not influence government policy. His remarks notably avoided referencing the RCMP’s 2023 allegations that “Indian agents” were involved in the murder of Khalistani extremist, banned by India, Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia — charges New Delhi dismissed as “absurd.”
Tensions between the two countries escalated under the leadership of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who publicly alleged without providing any credible proof that the Indian government was involved in Nijjar’s killing. The fallout included the downgrading of diplomatic ties and reciprocal expulsions of diplomats. India accused Canada of providing a safe haven for Khalistani extremist elements.
However, the election of Liberal Party leader Mark Carney as Canada’s new prime minister appears to be opening the door to a diplomatic reset. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick to congratulate Carney on social media as provisional results projected a Liberal victory, though short of a clear majority.
“India and Canada are bound by shared democratic values, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, and vibrant people-to-people ties,”
Modi posted.
“I look forward to working with you to strengthen our partnership and unlock greater opportunities for our people.”
The message marked a sharp shift in tone after years of frosty exchanges.
Diplomatic and local political sources told The Australia Today that Carney has expressed interest in rebuilding relations with India and has many allies in New Delhi, including within Modi’s government.
Ajay Bisaria, who served as India’s envoy to Ottawa during 2020-2022, said:
“Carney has a firm mandate to reorder Canadian global priorities at a time when he faces a volatile US and a dangerous China.
This also marks an inflection point for India-Canada ties since Carney has the opportunity to fix what Trudeau wantonly broke.”
International diplomacy and trade experts say the changed global environment, including Canada’s ongoing trade tensions with the United States, is encouraging Ottawa to diversify its economic partnerships.
“Canada is actively seeking political and trade partnerships beyond North America,” a senior source said, adding that the reset also reflects relief in India over the electoral downfall of New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh, a vocal supporter of the Khalistan movement. In an embarrassing situation for his party, Singh not only lost his seat but the NDP is poised to lose national party status, weakening the influence of pro-Khalistan voices in Parliament.
The emerging thaw has also prompted renewed discussion on how Canada and India can manage their security disagreements without derailing the broader relationship.
Harper, who led Canada from 2006 to 2015, has long been a supporter of deepening ties with India. On Saturday, he revealed that his government’s decision to open a Canadian trade office in Gujarat — Modi’s home state — in 2009 went against advice from Global Affairs Canada. He defended the move as a strategic investment in future relations.
Earlier this year, Harper criticised the Liberal government’s deteriorating India policy, stating in a speech in New Delhi that he “didn’t entirely understand” why relations had soured. He accused the Khalistan movement of infiltrating Canadian political institutions and praised Modi for not disrupting vital people-to-people connections.
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