Opinion | Jagmeet Singh’s Defeat In Canada Crushes Khalistan’s Voice: India’s Diplomatic Triumph
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 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.
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Diplomatic Opportunity for a Reset
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 Canada’s allegations, demanding evidence that was never provided.
Carney, a former central banker with a global economic perspective, has signalled a departure from Trudeau’s confrontational stance. His avoidance of direct references to the Nijjar case and emphasis on addressing “strains" with mutual respect suggest a willingness to prioritise trade and diplomacy over ideological battles. India, which is reportedly considering restoring its high commissioner to Canada, could leverage this shift to revive stalled negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Bilateral trade reached CAD 13.49 billion in 2023 despite tensions, and a renewed CEPA could boost sectors like technology and agriculture.
However, India must navigate cautiously. Carney’s liberal values, including solidarity and reconciliation, align with Canada’s multicultural ethos, which may limit how far he can distance himself from Sikh community concerns. India should engage proactively, emphasising shared democratic values and economic potential while firmly reiterating its stance against separatism. The diminished NDP influence reduces the risk of Khalistan-related rhetoric dominating bilateral discussions, making this an opportune moment for India to rebuild trust and foster a pragmatic partnership.
Reduced Political Space for Khalistan Advocacy
Jagmeet Singh’s electoral loss and the NDP’s collapse to single-digit seats significantly curtail the political platform for Khalistan advocacy in Canada. Singh, often criticised for his perceived Khalistan sympathies, attended pro-sovereignty events and supported motions labelling the 1984 Sikh riots as “genocide", actions India viewed as endorsing separatist narratives. His defeat in Burnaby Central, where he trailed Liberal and Conservative candidates, and the NDP’s loss of national party status signal a public rejection of his brand of politics.
This outcome aligns with India’s long-standing concerns about Canada’s permissiveness towards Khalistan activism, exemplified by groups like Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which organises unofficial referendums on Khalistan. India has repeatedly urged Canada to curb such activities, viewing them as threats to its territorial integrity. The NDP’s reduced influence—losing parliamentary funding and speaking time—limits the ability of pro-Khalistan voices to shape policy or gain mainstream traction. Social media reactions, with users celebrating Singh’s fall as a setback for Khalistan’s political clout, reflect a broader sentiment that his rhetoric failed to resonate.
For India, this creates a window to press Canada for stricter oversight of separatist groups. The Liberal government, less beholden to Sikh vote banks without NDP pressure, may be more amenable to addressing India’s concerns, especially if economic ties are at stake. However, India must balance its demands with sensitivity to Canada’s free speech principles to avoid alienating moderate Sikhs. By engaging community leaders and highlighting the irrelevance of Khalistan in Punjab, India can further marginalise separatist narratives, ensuring they lose ground in Canadian politics.
Enhanced Counterterrorism Cooperation
Singh’s defeat could pave the way for stronger India-Canada counterterrorism cooperation, a long-standing Indian priority. India has accused Canada of harbouring Khalistani extremists, citing figures like Hardeep Singh Nijjar, killed in 2023, as threats to its security. Singh’s support for Trudeau’s allegations of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s death, without evidence, and his calls for sanctions deepened mistrust. India’s external affairs minister, S. Jaishankar, criticised Canada’s “vote bank politics", arguing that electoral compulsions led to leniency toward separatists.
With Singh and the NDP sidelined, Canada’s Liberal government under Carney may adopt a more balanced approach. India has pending extradition requests for individuals linked to Khalistan-related activities, and a less polarised political climate could facilitate progress. Carney’s focus on economic stability, amid US tariff threats, suggests a pragmatic foreign policy that prioritises alliances over domestic vote banks. This aligns with India’s calls for Canada to crack down on groups like Babbar Khalsa International, implicated in the 1985 Air India bombing.
The 2025 election outcome reduces the NDP’s ability to shield separatist sympathisers, potentially encouraging Canadian authorities to share intelligence and cooperate on investigations. India must seize this moment to formalise counterterrorism frameworks, emphasising mutual security interests. However, challenges remain, as Canada’s legal system prioritises free expression, complicating action against non-violent advocacy. India should present concrete evidence of terrorist activities to build a compelling case while avoiding rhetoric that alienates the broader Sikh community. Strengthened cooperation could not only address Khalistan-related threats but also enhance India’s global counterterrorism credibility, fostering a more secure bilateral relationship.
Strengthened Indian Diaspora Dynamics
Canada’s 1.8 million Indo-Canadians, including 770,000 Sikhs, are a vital bridge in India-Canada relations, but Khalistan activism has often polarised this diaspora. Jagmeet Singh’s defeat offers India a chance to unify its diaspora by reducing the influence of separatist narratives. Singh’s actions, such as attending rallies with posters of Khalistani figure Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, deepened divisions between pro-India and pro-Khalistan factions, with incidents like the 2024 Brampton temple attack highlighting communal tensions.
The NDP’s electoral rout weakens the political legitimacy of Khalistan advocacy, potentially encouraging moderate Sikhs to distance themselves from separatist causes. Social media posts celebrating Singh’s loss as a “diplomatic win for India" reflect optimism about a more cohesive diaspora. India can capitalise on this by engaging Sikh community leaders to promote cultural and economic ties, emphasising Punjab’s integration with India’s growth story. Programmes like the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme and diaspora investment initiatives could strengthen connections.
Moreover, the Liberal government’s focus on economic recovery may resonate with the diaspora’s aspirations, reducing the appeal of divisive rhetoric. India should also counter misinformation about its policies in Punjab, where Khalistan has little local support, to prevent radicalisation among Canadian Sikh youth. However, India must tread carefully to avoid alienating Sikhs who value their cultural identity but reject separatism. By fostering dialogue and celebrating shared heritage, India can transform its diaspora into a unified force for bilateral cooperation, enhancing its soft power and ensuring that Khalistan remains a fringe issue in Canada’s multicultural tapestry.
The author teaches journalism at St Xavier’s College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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