Context: 

Better ties with Canada are on the agenda for the government, as the External Affairs Minister will be hosting the Canadian Foreign Minister for bilateral talks in New Delhi. 

Bilateral Relations:

• • India established diplomatic relations with Canada in 1947.
  • Canada was among the first countries associated with India’s nuclear programme, but the relationship ruptured after India’s nuclear tests in 1974.
  • In April 2015, the bilateral relation was elevated to a strategic partnership.
  • Bilateral Mechanisms: Both sides pursue bilateral relations through the dialogue mechanisms such as
    • Ministerial level- Strategic, Trade and Energy dialogues;
    • Foreign Office Consultations; and 
    • Other sector specific joint working groups (JWG).

• • Commercial Relations:

• • • An annualised Trade Ministers dialogue has been institutionalised to review trade and economic relations.
    • Both sides are engaged in technical negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) including trade in goods, services, investment, trade facilitation etc.

• • Science and Technology Cooperation:

• • • IC-IMPACTS (the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability) is the only Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence as a Centre dedicated to the development of research collaborations between Canada and India.
    • Department of Earth Science and Polar Canada have started a programme for exchange of knowledge and scientific research on Cold Climate (Arctic) Studies

• • Space Cooperation:

• • • ISRO and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) have signed MOUs for cooperation in the field of exploration and utilisation of outer space and two Implementation Arrangements specifically addressing satellite tracking and space astronomy have also been signed.
    • ANTRIX, the Commercial arm of ISRO has launched many Canadian Satellites.

Reasons for the Acceleration in Relations:

• • Canada’s deteriorating ties with China.
  • Canada’s New Indo Pacific Strategy 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 with China coincides with India’s push to conclude free trade agreements with many countries.
  • Both countries have been working to announce an “Early Progress Trade Agreement” this year; they are also hopeful of securing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement soon. 

Concerns:

• • Concerns Over Resurgence of Khalistani Separatism: India has continued to express concerns over the resurgence of Khalistani separatism and calls for a “referendum” amid the Sikh community in Canada.
  • Canadian pronouncements on developments in India, including on rights and freedoms of individuals and minorities can always set off diplomatic problems.
  • Gender Clauses in Trade Pact: The Canadian Government put in gender clauses in the trade pact. Though it is revolutionary, in countries like India it was seen as a non-tariff barrier.
  • Lack of Progress in Negotiations by Both Countries: Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPA), have been in negotiation for a long time and no progress is reached by both the countries.

Conclusion:

India must foster a deeper understanding of Canada and the potential it holds for India. Relationship should be elevated to a higher level in areas like urbanisation development, green energy, civil nuclear energy cooperation where Canada can share its expertise.

News Source: The Hindu