Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper has urged Canada to move beyond its diplomatic standoff with India, calling the South Asian nation an essential partner in an increasingly unstable global environment. Speaking at a business-focused charity gala in Brampton, Ontario, Harper stressed that recent tensions between the two countries should not hinder long-term cooperation, particularly in trade, security, and shared democratic values. While he did not directly reference the serious allegations linking the Indian government to violent incidents in Canada, Harper emphasized the importance of restoring trust through mutual respect.
In his remarks at the IMEC Canada-India Charity Gala, Harper also addressed the politically sensitive issue of Khalistan separatism. He urged Canadian political parties — including his own Conservatives — to distance themselves from individuals and groups advocating for a separate Sikh homeland. While acknowledging their right to democratic expression, Harper argued that such views should not be reflected within Canada’s political institutions, especially if Ottawa seeks to rebuild a strong bilateral relationship with New Delhi.
The former Prime Minister also reflected on his 2009 decision to open a Canadian trade office in Gujarat — the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi — a move made against the advice of Global Affairs Canada at the time. That decision, Harper said, was driven by the desire to strengthen economic ties with a rapidly growing Indian economy.
Relations between India and Canada have been severely strained since 2023, when then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that Canadian intelligence had credible evidence implicating Indian agents in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. India strongly denied the accusations. In 2024, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats following RCMP allegations linking India to wider acts of criminal activity across the country.
Despite the diplomatic breakdown, signs of thawing relations have emerged. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Foreign Minister Anita Anand recently had what she described as a “productive” conversation with her Indian counterpart on boosting economic cooperation. However, this outreach has sparked criticism from Sikh groups, who argue that human rights should not be sidelined for trade.
Experts like Vina Nadjibulla from the Asia Pacific Foundation believe that a path forward involves establishing formal mechanisms between the two countries’ law enforcement and diplomatic channels to address national security issues without dominating broader bilateral ties. Nadjibulla emphasized that Canada’s cautious approach toward India sets it apart from other G7 countries, many of which are deepening their engagement with New Delhi amid shifting global trade dynamics and the rise of the Global South.
She added that the upcoming G7 summit and the recent change in Canadian leadership present a timely opportunity for a diplomatic reset. This could involve the return of high commissioners, renewed trade talks, and the formation of bilateral working groups similar to those used by the United States to handle sensitive issues with India.
A recent analysis led by Nadjibulla and her team noted that India continues to harbor concerns over Canada’s handling of past terror-related cases, including the 1985 Air India bombing, and believes Ottawa has not done enough to curb extremist activities linked to Sikh separatist groups. These concerns, along with Canada’s apprehensions about political interference and civil rights in India, underscore the complexity of the relationship.
Harper, who earlier this year expressed confusion over the state of Canada-India relations, again emphasized the importance of building bridges rather than allowing past disputes to dictate the future. His comments come at a time when both governments appear to be looking for ways to move forward — even as questions about justice, security, and sovereignty remain unresolved.