A quick reset – India and Canada are looking at the big picture as they put behind discord

Source: The post is based on the article “A quick reset – India and Canada are looking at the big picture as they put behind discord” published in The Hindu on 8th February 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Relevance: About bilateral ties between India and Canada.

News: Recently, the Canadian Foreign Minister visited India for bilateral talks. With the upcoming G-20 summit in India, the visit of the Canadian Prime Minister for the summit will be key for India – Canada relations.

What are the key discussions on bilateral ties between India and Canada?

What are the importance of India for Canada and vice versa?

Canada was among the first countries associated with India’s nuclear programme. Both countries have an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation.

Canada’s deteriorating ties with China: Canada in its new Indo-Pacific Strategy marked out China as an “increasingly disruptive global power” and mentioned 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.

India also has a massive diaspora population and student links in Canada.

Note: Both India and Canada are already working on an “Early Progress Trade Agreement” and planned to finalise a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

What are the challenges in developing bilateral ties between India and Canada?

a) India has continued to express concerns over the resurgence of Khalistani separatism, b) Canadian pronouncements on developments in India, including on rights and freedoms is always a cause of concern. For instance, the Canadian PM’s comment on farmers’ agitation in 2020-21 led to the cancellation of diplomatic activity for a while.

Overall, bilateral ties between India and Canada can bring strategic and economic gains but for achieving that both nations should side-step the political pitfalls.