OTTAWA, March 10: Mark Carney, a prominent economist and former Governor of the Bank of Canada, has committed to “rebuilding” strained ties with India following his selection as Canada’s next Prime Minister. Carney, who won the Liberal Party’s leadership race with an overwhelming 85 percent of the vote, made the pledge during his recent election campaign.
The 59-year-old will serve as Prime Minister until the scheduled General Election in October, where he is expected to face off against Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in what is anticipated to be a highly contested battle.
India-Canada relations have deteriorated significantly over the past year, particularly due to statements made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which India described as “ludicrous.” These remarks further soured the already fragile relationship between the two countries. Carney, in positioning himself as the frontrunner to replace Trudeau, has indicated a willingness to mend the strained relationship.
“What Canada will be looking to do is to diversify our trading relationships with like-minded countries, and there are opportunities to rebuild the relationship with India,” Carney said in a recent interaction in Calgary. His approach signals a shift from Trudeau’s tenure, which was marked by frequent tensions between Canada and India.
The deterioration in India-Canada ties stems from India’s repeated concerns about extremism and the growing culture of violence and anti-India activities in Canada. India has urged Canadian authorities to take stronger actions against these elements. Tensions were further exacerbated when Trudeau claimed to have “credible allegations” linking India to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last year. India strongly denied the allegations, labeling them “absurd” and “motivated.” India also accused Canada of providing a safe haven for anti-India elements.
Carney, who started his career in finance before entering public service, has had a history of engagement with India in his previous roles. As the Governor of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis, he helped steer the country through one of the most challenging economic periods in modern history, safeguarding jobs and ensuring Canada’s recovery. In 2013, Carney was appointed to lead the Bank of England, where he played a key role in navigating the UK economy through the Brexit process and its aftermath. In 2020, Carney began serving as the UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, where he worked to rally global efforts for stronger economies to combat climate change.
Mark Carney’s leadership profile reflects a focus on strong economic governance, with his website stating, “Mark offers the proven leadership and real plan we need to deliver change for our party and our country, and to build the strongest economy in the G7. We are a proud nation of builders — and now, it’s time to build. Let’s build together.”
Last week, Carney unveiled a new economic plan aimed at creating higher-paying jobs, improving affordability, and bolstering Canada’s national security. “We are masters of our own economic destiny. Canada is stronger when it is united, which is why we need to create one Canadian economy instead of 13,” Carney said. He also emphasized that tariffs imposed by the United States have renewed the urgency to address the longstanding economic barriers that have divided the Canadian economy.
