Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 29: In a development that has been met with widespread approval in India, Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP) and a vocal supporter of the Khalistan movement, has lost his seat in the 2025 Canadian federal election. This defeat is seen as a significant opportunity for India and Canada to reset their strained diplomatic and trade relations, which had soured due to the controversial and unfounded allegations made by Singh and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding India's alleged involvement in the 2023 assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Singh, who was contesting from Burnaby Central in British Columbia, was defeated by Liberal Party candidate Wade Chang. The NDP, once considered a potential "kingmaker" in this election, has also suffered a crushing defeat, with media reports predicting the party's performance to be far below expectations. The NDP is expected to finish a distant fourth, with just seven seats, behind the Bloc Québécois' 23 seats and the Conservatives' 147. Singh's resignation from the leadership of the NDP followed soon after, marking the end of the party's status as a national force, as it failed to secure the required 12 seats in the House of Commons.
In his resignation statement, Singh expressed disappointment that the NDP could not win more seats, stating, "It has been the honor of my life to lead the NDP, and to represent the people of Burnaby Central."
The aftermath of Nijjar's killing in June 2023 had triggered a diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, with Trudeau and Singh repeatedly accusing "agents" of the Indian government of being responsible for the assassination. These allegations, however, were made without substantial evidence, which India strongly rejected. Despite repeated requests from India for concrete proof, Canada failed to share any.
The diplomatic rift deepened as the Indian government pointed out the lack of evidence and criticized Canada's handling of the matter, including the support extended by Trudeau's government to pro-Khalistani elements. A Canadian commission report in January 2025 further vindicated India's stance, stating that there was no definitive evidence linking India to Nijjar's killing.
Singh's defeat marks a turning point, especially since his political alignment and rhetoric had become a major factor in the escalating tension between the two countries. His strident criticism of India and his calls for the banning of the RSS had further strained ties. With his loss, there is now hope that the relationship between India and Canada can move past the bitter allegations and focus on rebuilding diplomatic and trade connections, which had been significantly affected.
India is looking forward to working with the newly elected government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, to restore normalcy in bilateral ties. The focus is expected to shift back to areas of cooperation, including trade, education, and cultural exchanges, with both sides eager to move past the acrimony of the past months.