News Desk
OTTAWA — In a move that has sparked cautious optimism in New Delhi and beyond, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed four Indian-origin politicians to prominent roles in his new Liberal government, signaling a potential reset in the strained diplomatic and trade relations between Canada and India. The appointments, announced on May 13, 2025, include Anita Anand as foreign minister, Maninder Sidhu as minister for international trade, and Ruby Sahota and Randeep Sarai as secretaries of state for crime prevention and international development, respectively. This diverse and high-profile lineup is seen as a deliberate step toward mending ties frayed by years of tensions, largely driven by the growing influence of Khalistani ultra forces and terrorism sympathizers in Canadian politics.
For years, the relationship between India and Canada has been overshadowed by the contentious issue of Khalistani separatism, a movement advocating for an independent Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab region. Canada, home to a significant Sikh diaspora of over 770,000 as of the 2021 census, has seen pro-Khalistani voices gain traction in its political sphere, particularly under the previous government of Justin Trudeau.
The 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani terrorism sympathizer, in British Columbia, marked a low point in bilateral ties. Trudeau’s public accusation of Indian involvement—met with vehement denials from New Delhi and a lack of concrete evidence—led to tit-for-tat diplomat expulsions and a chilling of relations. India has long criticized Canada for providing a safe haven to individuals it accuses of promoting separatist rhetoric against Indian sovereignty and, in some cases, supporting terrorism, a charge that has fueled distrust.
The foothold of Khalistani terrorism sympathizers in Canadian politics, particularly through figures like Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), has been a persistent irritant for India. Singh’s vocal support for Khalistani separatism, including calls for sanctions against India over the Nijjar killing, amplified tensions during Trudeau’s tenure, when the Liberals relied on NDP support to maintain a minority government. This political dynamic often placed Canada’s domestic considerations at odds with India’s concerns about sovereignty and security, stalling trade negotiations and limiting diplomatic engagement. The result was a relationship marked by mutual suspicion, with India viewing Canada’s leniency toward Khalistani activism as tacit endorsement of anti-India sentiment.
Enter Mark Carney, the former central banker whose pragmatic, globalist outlook and campaign promise to restore Canada’s international credibility have raised hopes for a fresh start. His appointment of Anita Anand, a respected law professor and the first Hindu woman to serve as Canada’s foreign minister, is particularly significant. Anand, who took her oath on the Bhagavad Gita, has a track record of measured diplomacy, notably contributing to Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aligns with India’s regional interests. Her appointment, alongside those of Sidhu, Sahota, and Sarai—all of whom hail from Punjab but are seen as free of Khalistani affiliations—suggests a deliberate effort to shift Canada’s approach toward India. “This is a team that reflects Canada’s diversity and is empowered to lead on the world stage,” Carney said in a statement on X, emphasizing his cabinet’s mandate for “decisive action” on economic and security priorities.
Analysts see Carney’s choices as a strategic move to counter the influence of pro-Khalistani elements in Canadian politics while rebuilding trust with India, a key economic and strategic partner. Maninder Sidhu, a Brampton East MP with deep ties to Canada’s Punjabi community, brings trade expertise to his role as international trade minister, a critical position as Canada navigates tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump. Ruby Sahota, tasked with combating crime, is expected to address rising concerns about gang violence in Brampton, an issue that has occasionally intersected with extremist rhetoric. Randeep Sarai, a Surrey Centre MP with a background in law and foreign affairs, will focus on international development, reinforcing Canada’s global partnerships.
The appointments come at a pivotal moment. India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has prioritized strengthening ties with Western democracies, particularly as a counterweight to China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Yet, the Khalistani issue has long complicated Canada’s place in this equation. “Carney’s cabinet signals a departure from the Trudeau era’s confrontational stance,” said Reeta Tremblay, a political scientist based in Canada. “By elevating Indian-origin leaders without the baggage of separatist sympathies, he’s creating space for pragmatic diplomacy.”
The road ahead will not be without challenges. Anand’s past condemnation of materials targeting Indian diplomats after Nijjar’s death has drawn scrutiny from some Sikh advocacy groups, highlighting the delicate balance she must strike between Canada’s multicultural ethos and India’s expectations. Still, her role in shaping Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy offers hope that shared interests—such as countering China and boosting trade—could anchor a renewed partnership. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar congratulated Anand on her appointment, a gesture that underscores New Delhi’s openness to dialogue.
For India, the shift in Canada’s leadership and cabinet composition presents a strategic opportunity. Bilateral trade, which stood at $8.4 billion in 2024, has significant room for growth, particularly in technology, clean energy, and agriculture. Carney’s focus on diversifying Canada’s international partnerships aligns with India’s ambitions as a global economic powerhouse. “There is a path forward to address tensions with mutual respect,” Carney said on the eve of the elections, a sentiment that resonates with Indian officials eager to move past the Khalistani shadow.
As both nations navigate this new chapter, the hope is that Carney’s pragmatic leadership, coupled with the prominence of Indian-origin ministers, will pave the way for a relationship defined by cooperation rather than contention. For now, the appointments of Anand, Sidhu, Sahota, and Sarai are a powerful symbol of Canada’s commitment to turning the page—a gesture that India, cautiously optimistic, appears ready to reciprocate.
