On January 6, 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation, bringing an end to his 9-year regime. The announcement brought a wave of revelry among the Canadians, giving a fair idea about his tenure. Some argue that Trudeau abdicated the throne as the most unpopular leader in the history of Canada. Trudeau’s regime was marked by domestic discontent as well as strained ties with major world powers. The downfall of Trudeau exemplifies what occurs when an egomaniacal leader prioritizes personal gain over national interests. As for India, under Trudeau, the Indo-Canadian ties took an unprecedented dip. From fanning Khalistan separatism to accusing India of the assassination of a terrorist, Trudeau left no stone unturned to harm Indo-Canadian ties. The purpose of this article is to decipher this resignation and its implications on Indo-Canadian ties in light of the Khalistan issue.
TRUDEAU’S FALL FROM GRACE
The end of the Trudeau era is a culmination of a series of internal and external challenges that eroded his leadership standing.
Declining Public Support and Electoral Setbacks
Throughout 2024, the Liberal Party faced diminishing public support, evidenced by losses in key by-elections, including traditionally secure seats like Toronto-St. Paul’s and LaSalle-Émard-Verdun. These defeats intensified internal criticism and raised concerns about the party’s prospects in the upcoming federal election.
Liberal Party Dissent Against Justin Trudeau
After ceding traditionally safe seats to conservatives in key by-elections, the internal rift within the Liberal Party intensified. This bolstered anti-Trudeau sentiments within the party, as many thought Trudeau was an incompetent leader. The discordance surged when Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned on December 16, 2024. The cause cited was her disagreements over fiscal policies and the government’s handling of impending U.S. tariffs. Freeland’s egress was seen as a significant blow, leading to increased calls from Liberal MPs for Trudeau to step down.
External Pressures
Under the Trudeau regime, Canada saw a destructive foreign policy where Canada ruined its ties with major powers like America, India, China, etc. The relationship with China was already strained due to allegations of political interference, which became worse with the episode of Meng Wanzhou’s arrest. With India, Trudeau brought the relationship to the verge of collapse. From exploiting Khalistan separatism for political gains to levying baseless allegations upon India for the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau left no stone unturned to drive Canada towards diplomatic isolation. Internationally, Canada became a butt of embarrassment when the Trudeau administration honored a Nazi in the Canadian parliament.
However, the straw that broke the camel’s back was Trudeau locking horns with Trump over trade and tariffs. President Donald Trump’s threats to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian imports posed a significant economic challenge. Trudeau’s handling of these threats, including the announcement of retaliatory tariffs, faced criticism both domestically and internationally. Additionally, Trump’s repeated suggestions about annexing Canada added to the diplomatic strain. Repeated diplomatic spats with other world powers showcased Trudeau as an incompetent and ignorant leader, mounting pressure on him to resign.
TRUDEAU DETHRONED: IMPLICATIONS ON INDIA
Trudeau’s leadership witnessed the downhill trajectory of Indo-Canadian ties. In 2023, he alleged that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Despite repeated calls for substantiating his claims, no evidence has been presented to date. This accusation led to both nations expelling diplomats and suspending trade discussions. The core of this issue is Trudeau’s fanning of Khalistan separatism for its political gains. Trudeau was heading a minority government with the support of the NDP party led by ardent Khalistani supporter Jagmeet Singh. To woo Khalistani voters and to ensure NDP’s support, Trudeau acted as an accomplice in pro-Khalistan activities. This strained ties with India. Trudeau’s resignation may pave the way for a reset in bilateral relations, depending on his successor’s approach to addressing these contentious issues. A new leadership might adopt a firmer position against separatist activities to mend relations with India.
POST TRUDEAU OUTLOOK
The trajectory of India-Canada relations and the Khalistan movement will largely depend on Trudeau’s successor. A leader prioritizing improved ties with India may implement policies that curb separatist activities, leading to enhanced diplomatic and economic cooperation. Conversely, if the new leadership continues Trudeau’s approach, existing tensions could persist. The domestic political pressure will play a crucial role. The new Canadian leadership will have to contend with internal political dynamics and the expectations of its diverse electorate. If domestic pressures continue to push policies that are viewed unfavorably by India, tensions might persist. The Khalistan movement may continue to surface if not addressed through comprehensive dialogue and policy reforms. Whether the new administration will adopt a conciliatory or a hawkish approach toward India is left to be seen shortly. The coming months will be crucial in determining the future dynamics between Canada, India, and the Khalistan movement.
Also Read, The Afghan Reset: India Back In The Game
CONCLUSION
In a nutshell, Justin Trudeau’s resignation marks the end of a contentious era of domestic discontent, diplomatic blunders, and the rise in extremism. For the Indo-Canadian relationship, Trudeau’s departure provides a much-needed breathing space to recalibrate the future trail. However, the actual outcome will be contingent upon the diplomatic posture and policy decisions of Canada’s next leader. There is an opportunity to transition from a period of contention to one of constructive engagement, potentially leading to enhanced cooperation. As for India, the current administration should adopt the policy of strategic patience and watch how things unfold in Canada. It would be imperative for India to sensitize the new administration to its concerns and work in tandem to resolve all impending issues. This will require careful navigation of domestic political landscapes and a commitment to addressing the core issues that have historically divided the two nations.
