The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 24th November 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

India’s decision to resume e-visas for Canadian citizens worldwide is a significant step towards restoring travel ties with Canada, which were snapped in September during the diplomatic stand-off following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations that Indian government agents had masterminded the assassination of a Khalistani leader.

What are the Significant Pillars of India Canada Relationship?

• Diplomatic Relations:
  • India and Canada initiated diplomatic ties in 1947, fostering a longstanding bilateral relationship rooted in shared values of democracy, human rights, rule of law, and pluralism.
• Economic Collaboration:
  • Historically, annual bilateral trade between India and Canada reached $6 billion, with Indian investments in Canada exceeding $4 billion.
  • Canada ranks 18th among foreign investors in India, with an investment totaling approximately $3,306 million from April 2000 to March 2023.
  • Technical negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) are underway, encompassing trade in goods, services, investment, and trade facilitation.
  • Over 600 Canadian companies operate in India, and more than 1,000 Canadian businesses actively pursue opportunities in the Indian market.
• Diaspora Bonds:
  • Canada hosts a substantial Indian diaspora, constituting over 16 lakh individuals, comprising over 3% of the Canadian population, including 700,000 Non-Residential Indians (NRIs).
• Education and Innovation:
  • Indian students make up around 40% of the total international student population in Canada.
  • Cooperation between Canada’s Intellectual Property Office and India’s Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion strengthens collaboration in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

• Strategic Significance:
  • India is a pivotal partner in Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy, crucial for diversifying the Canadian economy due to India's growing economic and demographic importance in the region.
• Science and Technology:
  • The India-Canada Research Centre of Excellence, IC-IMPACTS, focuses on joint research projects in healthcare, agri-biotech, and waste management.
  • Collaboration between the Department of Earth Science and Polar Canada involves the exchange of knowledge and scientific research on Cold Climate (Arctic) Studies.
• Space Cooperation:
  • Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between ISRO and the Canadian Space Agency highlight joint efforts in the exploration and utilization of outer space.
  • ISRO's commercial arm, ANTRIX, has launched numerous nanosatellites from Canada, including the Canadian first LEO satellite, during ISRO's 100th Satellite PSLV launch in 2018 from Sriharikota.

What are the Challenges of the India Canada Relationship?

• Cultural Sensitivities:
  • India has raised apprehensions about specific factions within the Sikh community advocating for an independent Sikh state, known as Khalistan, separate from India.
  • Canada allowed a parade depicting the 1984 assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, carried out by her bodyguards, raising concerns as it was viewed as glorifying violence by Sikh separatists.
  • Michael Kugelman, the director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center think-tank, notes that increasing Sikh activism in Canada, coupled with Indian pressure and Ottawa's reluctance to address concerns, has led to a deep crisis in bilateral relations.
• Visa and Immigration Policies:
  • Reports indicate that Indian students have faced challenges in obtaining visas to study in Canada in recent years, leading to dissatisfaction and concerns in India.
• Differing Stances on International Issues:
  • During the G20 meeting in New Delhi, Canada and India refrained from bilateral talks, engaging instead on the sidelines.
  • Diplomatic ties have strained due to differing opinions on issues such as the political situation in Kashmir.
• Agricultural Trade Disputes:
  • Trade-related concerns have been expressed by Indian dairy and poultry producers regarding Canadian exports, particularly of products like pulses and canola oil.

What Should be the Way Forward?