The India-Canada standoff: What led to it, the problems it raises

Context:

• India and Canada are dealing with an unprecedented diplomatic crisis, which can have political and geopolitical consequences.

More on News:

• India has issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals travelling to Canada, as well as a caution for the Indian community in Canada.
• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau(PMJT) alleged that India may have been involved in the murder of a Khalistani separatist named Hardeep Najjar in Canada in June 2023. 

Overview Of India-Canada Relations:

• Strategic Relations:
  • India and Canada have a long history of bilateral relations, underpinned by shared values of democracy, pluralism, and people-to-people ties.
  • The relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership in 2015, and both Prime Ministers have met on several occasions to discuss regional and global issues. 
  • Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy which aligns with India’s vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
• Economic Relations
  • Bilateral trade in goods amounted to USD 8.16 billion in FY2022-23 (Refer Image)
  • India and Canada are discussing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Partnership Agreement (BIPPA/FIPA). A virtual stocktaking meeting on CEPA and BIPA between India and Canada was held on 22 June 2020.
• Indian Diaspora:
  • India and Canada have strong people-to-people ties, with a large Indian diaspora living in Canada. They also have a close cultural relationship, with regular exchanges in film, music, and other art forms (Refer-Image).
• Indian students
  • Canada is an attractive destination for Indians, especially students. In 2022, nearly 300,000 Indians were pursuing higher education in Canada {India’s Bureau of Immigration(IBM)].
• Canadian tourists in India:
  • In 2021, 80,000 Canadian tourists visited India, making them the fourth largest group(IBM).
• Energy Cooperation:
  • During the visit of PMJT in February 2018, the scope of the Energy Dialogue was expanded to additionally include electricity, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
  • For Example: India Oil Corporation has a 10% participating interest in a Liquid Natural Gas project in British Columbia.
• Nuclear Cooperation:
  • A Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA) with Canada was signed in June 2010 and came into force in September 2013. 
• Science and Technology
  • Indo-Canadian Science and Technology cooperation has been primarily focussed on promoting Industrial R&D which has potential for application through the development of new IP, processes, prototypes or products. 
  • Canada was a partner country for the Technology Summit 2017, held in New Delhi on 14-15 November 2017.

Challenges of the India-Canada Relationship:

Terrorism at the Heart of Tensions:

• The biggest issue for India is the safe haven that Canada has provided to separatist Khalistani groups.
• Canada is turning a blind eye to the activities of subversive and radical elements who are using Canadian soil to destabilise India and carry out political assassinations, and gangland killings, fund subversive elements, and support narcotics and human trafficking networks inside India.

Other Major challenges:

• Trade Tensions: India and Canada have been negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) for several years, but the talks have been stalled over several issues, including tariffs and intellectual property rights. The lack of a trade agreement has been a source of frustration for both sides and has hampered trade and investment between the two countries.
• Diplomatic Disputes: In recent years, there have been a number of diplomatic disputes between India and Canada, including over the issue of Sikh separatism and the treatment of Indian nationals in Canada. These disputes have further strained relations between the two countries.
• Security Concerns: India has expressed concerns about the presence of Khalistani extremist groups in Canada and about the possibility of terrorist attacks on Indian nationals in Canada. Canada has assured India that it is taking steps to address these concerns, but the issue remains a source of tension.
• Human Rights Concerns: India has also expressed concerns about human rights abuses in Canada, including the treatment of Indigenous peoples and the alleged racial profiling of minorities. 
• Despite these challenges, India and Canada remain important partners to each other. They share a strong economic relationship and have close people-to-people ties. Both countries are also working together on several global issues, including climate change and terrorism.

Way Forward: 

• Establish a high-level Dialogue Mechanism: This mechanism could be led by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, or by other senior officials to discuss and resolve sensitive issues.
  • Both India and Canada need to take steps to de-escalate the situation. They need to engage in dialogue and try to understand each other’s concerns. They also need to be transparent about their actions and intentions.
• Diplomatic Measures to Counter Anti-India Separatist Movements:
  • Convey to host countries that they cannot simultaneously have good relations with India while allowing anti-India separatist movements to operate on their soil.
  • Avoid public statements that could further damage the relationship. It is important to engage in constructive dialogue behind the scenes, rather than making public statements that could make it more difficult to resolve the issues.
• Reciprocal Arrangements with Canada, the UK, and the US.
  • Countries like the USA, UK, and Australia should join Canada in a united front to counter the issue of Khalistani separatism, which is supported by groups outside of India. (Similar to the steps that India has taken to counter Islamic terrorist organisations like ISIS.)
  • Through regular dialogue, cultural and educational exchanges, and other initiatives that promote understanding and trust between the diaspora and the Indian government.
• Devising a Mechanism for the Extradition and Deportation of Terrorist Operatives:
  • This can be done through bilateral treaties and other arrangements with the countries where these operatives are located.
• Countering Khalistani Propaganda: Increase cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as trade, investment, education, and people-to-people ties. This could be done through joint initiatives, such as business delegations, student exchanges, and cultural events other initiatives that promote understanding and trust between the diaspora and the Indian government.

Source: Indian Express

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