Mark Carney charts low-key India visit, will skip Bhangra and Punjab trip
PTC Web Desk: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will steer clear of symbolic gestures and politically sensitive stops during his maiden official trip to India, signalling a more measured diplomatic approach as Ottawa attempts to stabilise strained bilateral ties.
Officials in Canada have indicated that Carney will not participate in cultural showcases such as Bhangra performances, nor will he travel to Punjab, a departure from past high-profile visits by Canadian leaders. The decision is being viewed as a calculated move aimed at avoiding controversy while focusing on substantive diplomatic engagement.
The contrast with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2018 India visit is notable. Trudeau had drawn criticism both in Canada and India for donning elaborate traditional outfits and for what New Delhi described as Canada’s leniency toward pro-Khalistan elements. Relations deteriorated further last year after Trudeau publicly alleged that Indian agents could have been linked to the killing of a Canadian citizen associated with Sikh separatist activism, an accusation India has strongly rejected.
Carney is scheduled to land in Mumbai on Friday. The visit marks his first official engagement with India as prime minister and comes at a time when Ottawa is seeking to diversify its global partnerships amid shifting geopolitical alignments. Diplomatic sources suggest the focus will be on trade, economic cooperation and strategic dialogue rather than symbolism.
Unlike some of his predecessors, Carney will not include Punjab in his itinerary. The state holds political significance given Canada’s sizeable Sikh diaspora. However, with separatist sentiments among a small but vocal section of the community continuing to strain diplomatic sensitivities, Ottawa appears keen to avoid adding fuel to an already delicate situation.
Partha Mohanram, a professor at the University of Toronto, described Carney as “strategic” and unlikely to engage in gestures that could distract from policy objectives. According to Mohanram, the PM's emphasis will remain on rebuilding institutional trust rather than headline-grabbing optics.
At the same time, Carney’s approach has drawn criticism from some Sikh advocacy organisations in Canada. The World Sikh Organisation of Canada has argued that Ottawa has not done enough to address concerns about alleged foreign interference and the safety of Sikh Canadians.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand has maintained that discussions with Indian authorities have taken place at senior levels regarding criminal investigations and alleged transnational activities. She said new mechanisms have been introduced to monitor financial irregularities, cyber threats and surveillance concerns within diaspora communities. Anand also underscored that Canada’s evolving foreign policy places domestic security at the centre of its international engagements.
Following his India stop, Carney is expected to travel to Australia for talks covering defence cooperation, trade expansion and strategic partnerships. He will later return to Ottawa for meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, where discussions are likely to include collaboration in the automotive sector, clean energy initiatives and critical mineral supply chains.
- With inputs from agencies
