Canada elections: PM Modi congratulates Mark Carney, says looking forward to strengthen partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on his election win, saying that he is looking forward to strengthen partnership and unlock greater opportunities between the two nations.

"Congratulations @MarkJCarney on your election as the Prime Minister of Canada and to the Liberal Party on their victory. India and Canada are bound by shared democratic values, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, and vibrant people-to-people ties. I look forward to working with you to strengthen our partnership and unlock greater opportunities for our people," said PM Modi.

Read more: Will Mike Carney’s Canada election win end the long chill in India-Canada ties?


Ties between Canada and India were strained following accusations of New Delhi's involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The fallout was immediate: diplomats were expelled, visa services were suspended, and both countries stopped talking.

Now, with Carney at the helm, India sees an opportunity to turn the page. He has avoided direct reference to the Nijjar issue, instead calling for “mutual respect” to resolve “strains on the relationship”, which is a major departure from Trudeau’s confrontational tone.

Mark Carney leads Liberal Party towards victory:
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party won Canada’s federal election on Monday, capping a stunning turnaround in fortunes fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s annexation threats and trade war.

After polls closed, the Liberals were projected to win more of Parliament’s 343 seats than the Conservatives. It wasn’t immediately clear, though, if they would win an outright majority — at least 172 — or would need to rely on one of the smaller parties to pass legislation.

The Liberals looked headed for a crushing defeat until the American president started attacking Canada’s economy and threatening its sovereignty, suggesting it should become the 51st state. Trump’s actions infuriated Canadians and stoked a surge in nationalism that helped the Liberals flip the election narrative and win a fourth-straight term in power.

In a victory speech before supporters in Ottawa, Carney stressed the importance of Canadian unity in the face of Washington's threats. He also said the mutually beneficial system Canada and the U.S. had shared since World War II had ended.

“We are over the shock of the American betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons,” he said.