Context: 

External Affairs Minister hosting Canadian Foreign Minister for bilateral discussions in New Delhi. 

History:

• Canada was among the first countries associated with India’s nuclear programme, but the relationship ruptured after India’s nuclear tests in 1974. 
• Indian anger over Canadian shelter to separatist Khalistani groups behind the 1985 bombing of an Air India flight and the prolonged trial. 
• Relations were restored in 2010, with the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Canada and an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation and Mr. Modi in 2015. But they flagged after 2018. 

Bilateral Ties:

• As India ramps up its international outreach in the year of its G-20 presidency, better ties with Canada are clearly on the agenda for the government.
• Canada announced its new Indo-Pacific Strategy that marked out China as an “increasingly disruptive global power” while referring to India as a “critical partner” with shared traditions of democracy and pluralism. 
• Canada’s search for new markets to diversify its considerable economic engagement.

Issues remain to be sorted out:

• India has continued to express concerns over the resurgence of Khalistani separatism and incidents of vandalism and violence targeting the Indian community there. 
• Canadian pronouncements on developments in India, including on rights and freedoms can always set off diplomatic landmines. 

Conclusion:

This year, timing and intent seem on course for a leap in ties which could bring strategic and economic gains, provided both sides also focus on side-stepping the possible political pitfalls along the way. 

News Source: The Hindu 

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