Mains current affairs:
Gs paper 2 - International Relations
India-Canada Relations
Introduction:
India-Canada relations have been strained since mid-2023 due to allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding Indian government agents' involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh separatist leader advocating for Khalistan. This led to both nations expelling diplomats and India suspending visa services for Canadians. The tensions reflect deeper issues tied to Canada's handling of Sikh separatism and allegations of interference by Indian agents.
Despite a partial restoration of visa services, relations remain fragile, with both sides adopting firm stances. The ongoing diplomatic row is considered one of the most serious crises between the two nations in recent years.
Areas of Cooperation
1. Economic and Trade Relations:
Bilateral trade between India and Canada is approximately $6 billion annually. India exports textiles, gems, and pharmaceuticals, while Canada exports energy products, fertilizers, and lentils to India.
Ongoing discussions on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aim to boost trade, though recent tensions have delayed progress.
2. Nuclear Cooperation:
The Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA), signed in 2010, marked a milestone in rebuilding trust after Canada cut nuclear ties following India’s 1974 nuclear tests. Canada supplies uranium for India’s nuclear energy program.
3. Education:
Canada hosts the largest number of Indian students, accounting for nearly 40% of all international students in Canada, significantly boosting its economy and fostering deep educational ties.
4. People-to-People Ties:
Over 1.6 million Canadians are of Indian origin, making them one of the largest diaspora communities in Canada. Cultural and familial ties between the two nations are strong.
5. Science and Technology:
Joint programs, like the IC-IMPACTS program, focus on industrial R&D in healthcare, agriculture, and waste management. The two countries also collaborate on cold climate research.
6. Space Cooperation:
India and Canada have collaborated on satellite technology, with ISRO launching Canadian satellites. This cooperation demonstrates mutual interest in advancing space exploration and satellite communications.
Areas of Conflict
1. Khalistan Movement:
A significant source of tension is the Khalistan separatist movement. Canada's Sikh population, some of whom support the creation of an independent Sikh state, Khalistan, in India’s Punjab region, is seen as a national security threat by India.
2. Diplomatic Disputes:
The diplomatic fallout over the allegations surrounding Hardeep Singh Nijjar's assassination in Canada has led to reciprocal expulsions of diplomats and strained bilateral trust.
3. Visa and Mobility Restrictions:
India suspended visa services for Canadians, impacting the movement of people between the two countries, especially students, business travelers, and the Indian diaspora.
4. Delayed Trade Agreements:
The diplomatic standoff has delayed trade negotiations under the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA), hampering potential economic collaboration.
Way Forward
1. Engaging in Dialogue:
Continued diplomatic dialogue at all levels is essential for de-escalation. Quiet diplomacy, as demonstrated by the partial restoration of visa services, must be pursued more vigorously.
2. Counterterrorism Cooperation:
Strengthening cooperation on counterterrorism is critical. Both countries have established frameworks like the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter-Terrorism, which can be expanded further.
3. Balancing Domestic Politics with International Relations:
Both nations need to handle their domestic pressures—Canada's handling of the Sikh diaspora’s demands and India’s concerns about separatism—sensitively to avoid derailing long-term diplomatic goals.
4. Resuming Trade and Educational Ties: