The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 25th October 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

An India-Canada bonding that is in danger of snapping

Why in News?

The current state of Canada-India diplomatic relations has evoked a mountain of uncertainty. The questions are: what uncertainty and for whom? India is a prime origin country of immigrants to Canada, who have settled there as naturalised citizens (most holding the Overseas Citizenship of India, a life-time Indian visa or semi-dual-citizenship) as well as permanent residents (PRs) who range from investors, industrialists and business people, the highly skilled “knowledge professionals” to low- and medium-skilled “service workers”.

Background of India Canada Relations

• India and Canada have a longstanding bilateral relationship founded on shared democratic values, multicultural societies, and robust people-to-people connections.
• During the Indian freedom struggle, many Indian migrants settled in Canada, and the "Swadesh Sevak Home" in Vancouver played a crucial role in mobilizing Indians against British rule.
• Diplomatic relations between India and Canada were established in 1947, following India's independence, and both countries exhibit federal structures inspired by the Canadian constitution.
• Initially, the focus of their relationship centered on cooperation in areas like development assistance and education, with India being the largest recipient of Canadian foreign aid during the Cold War.
• Tensions emerged when India conducted nuclear tests, and relations suffered a setback when Sikh terrorists bombed Air India Flight 182 in 1985.
• In the 1990s, as India underwent economic liberalization, the relationship diversified into new areas, including trade and investment.
• A significant milestone occurred in April 2015 when the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Canada elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership.
• In recent years, both countries have been actively cooperating across various dimensions.

Pillars of India Canada Relations

Challenges to India-Canada Relations

• Trade Barriers:
  • Contentious Trade Issues: India and Canada have faced challenges related to trade barriers, including tariffs and non-tariff restrictions, impeding bilateral trade growth.
  • Paused Free Trade Agreement Negotiations: Recent negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between India and Canada have been halted.
  • Concerns Over Agricultural Imports: Canada is worried about India's restrictions on agricultural imports, particularly in the pulse crops sector, like lentils and chickpeas.
• Human Rights Concerns:
  • Canada's Vocal Stance: Canada has been outspoken about human rights issues in India, especially the treatment of religious minorities, such as Sikhs and Muslims.
  • Indian Concerns: India has raised concerns about attacks on Hindu minorities and religious sites, leading to diplomatic tensions over differing human rights approaches.
• Visa and Immigration Issues:
  • Canada's Policy Changes: Alterations in Canadian visa and immigration policies have raised concerns in India, resulting in India suspending visas for Canadians, escalating tensions.
• Geopolitical Disputes:
  • Divergent Viewpoints: India and Canada have conflicting stances and interests on geopolitical matters like Afghanistan, Iran, China, Pakistan, and terrorism.
  • Strained Relations: Disagreements on topics such as the political situation in Kashmir and the Khalistan movement in Canada have strained diplomatic relations, even leading to a lack of bilateral discussions during the G20 meeting in New Delhi.
• Perceived Lack of Focus on India:
  • Prioritization of Other Regions: The current Canadian government has seemed to prioritize regions like Asia and the Pacific over its relationship with India, which could be a concern for India, especially given the growing geopolitical significance of the Indo-Pacific region.

Measures Needed to Strengthen India-Canada Relations

• Diplomatic Engagement: India and Canada must employ a multifaceted approach to enhance their relationship, focusing on political trust-building through high-level dialogues and Track II diplomacy while collaborating on shared concerns.
• Addressing Khalistan Issue: To effectively tackle the Khalistan problem, India should adjust its diplomatic tactics. Both nations need to engage in open and inclusive dialogues to address Khalistani separatism.
• Deepening Economic Cooperation: Both countries should reduce trade barriers, tariffs, and non-tariff obstacles. They should restart trade negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and increase trade and investment.
• Investment Opportunities: Infrastructure and transportation are potential areas for collaboration and investment. India's 'smart cities' initiative offers Canadian businesses opportunities for involvement.
• Strategic Cooperation: Strengthening cooperation in critical strategic domains, including counterterrorism frameworks, countering China in the Indo-Pacific, and advocating for freedom of navigation and rule-based order.
• Environmental Collaboration: India and Canada can work together on renewable energy projects and technology transfer, aligning with their commitments to sustainability and climate change mitigation.
• Promoting People-to-People Ties: Both countries should promote cultural exchanges, educational programs, and other initiatives to enhance mutual understanding and respect among their populations.