Ottawa/Delhi – April 29, 2025: In a political upheaval that signals a potential reset in India-Canada relations, Jagmeet Singh—leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) and a controversial pro-Khalistan voice—has lost his Burnaby Central seat in the 2025 Canadian federal election. Singh’s stunning defeat, coupled with his party’s collapse, has paved the way for a fresh chapter in bilateral ties between the two nations.
Singh, once seen as a kingmaker in Canadian politics, lost to Liberal Party’s Wade Chang in British Columbia. Hours later, he announced his resignation as NDP leader, bringing an end to his leadership of a party now facing the loss of its national party status, having secured only seven seats—well below the minimum 12 needed to maintain that designation under Canadian law.
The New Democrats, once instrumental in supporting the previous minority government led by Justin Trudeau, finished a distant fourth behind Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives (147 seats), the Liberals (who are forming the next government under Prime Minister Mark Carney), and the Bloc Québécois (23 seats).
Singh’s Fall: A Turning Point for India-Canada Ties
Jagmeet Singh’s defeat has been welcomed by many as an opportunity to de-escalate tensions between India and Canada. These tensions peaked in mid-2023 following the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar—a Canadian citizen and pro-Khalistan figure—outside a gurdwara in Vancouver. Nijjar was designated as a terrorist by India.
Singh, along with Trudeau, accused “Indian agents” of orchestrating Nijjar’s killing—claims that lacked verifiable evidence. Despite repeated requests from India, no proof was ever shared by Ottawa. Yet, both Singh and Trudeau persisted with what New Delhi described as “preposterous imputations,” resulting in a severe diplomatic chill.
While Trudeau doubled down on his accusations in October 2023 and again in 2024, claiming links between Indian officials and Canadian criminal gangs targeting Khalistani elements, India remained firm in its denial and demanded credible evidence—which never materialized.
In a significant vindication for India, a Canadian commission report released in January 2025 stated that “no definitive link” to a foreign state could be established in Nijjar’s killing.
NDP’s Collapse and Singh’s Exit
Jagmeet Singh, who had previously called for a ban on the RSS (the ideological parent of India’s ruling BJP), was one of the loudest voices against India in Canadian politics. He often cited “credible evidence” of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s death, echoing Trudeau’s language—though none of it held up under scrutiny.
Following his loss, Singh took to social media, writing:
“It has been the honour of my life to lead the NDP, and to represent the people of Burnaby Central. I’m disappointed we couldn’t deliver more seats. Congratulations to Prime Minister Carney and all other leaders on a hard-fought campaign.”
Singh’s ouster not only signals a shift within Canadian domestic politics but also removes a significant obstacle in mending fractured diplomatic and trade ties with India. His political trajectory, from the first person of colour to lead a federal party to becoming a symbol of divisive foreign policy posturing, has ended in electoral humiliation.
Mark Carney’s Rise: A New Chapter Begins
The Liberal Party, under the new leadership of Mark Carney, has secured a mandate to govern despite the lingering shadows of Justin Trudeau’s controversial tenure. Carney, a former Bank of Canada governor and international finance executive, is expected to bring a more pragmatic and globally attuned approach to governance and foreign policy.
His expected swearing-in has been seen in diplomatic circles as a “clean slate moment” for India and Canada. With Singh and Trudeau out of power, both countries now have a chance to re-engage on common interests—be it in trade, education, technology, or counter-terrorism cooperation.
Trade and Diplomatic Freeze Thawing?
India and Canada, whose bilateral trade exceeded $9 billion in 2023, had recalled ambassadors and expelled diplomats in the wake of the Nijjar controversy. Formal negotiations were suspended, and visa services briefly halted. The change in Canada’s political landscape, however, brings renewed optimism.
Experts believe Mark Carney’s government will be more inclined to repair relations and avoid the populist pitfalls that defined the Trudeau-Singh axis.
“This is an inflection point,” said a New Delhi-based diplomat. “With Jagmeet Singh gone and Trudeau out of the frame, we can finally return to pragmatic diplomacy based on facts, not ideology.”
A Clear Mandate for Change
Jagmeet Singh’s political fall, culminating in the NDP’s worst performance in over a decade, is more than just an electoral result—it’s a verdict against divisive identity politics and unsubstantiated allegations that endangered international relations. For India, Singh’s exit from Canada’s power corridors is a relief. For Canada, it’s an opportunity. And for both, it might just be the beginning of a renewed, constructive, and mutually respectful relationship.
