Strengthening Canada-India Relations

Canada and India share a robust bilateral relationship rooted in their common democratic principles, pluralism, and the significant presence of the Indian diaspora in Canada, comprising approximately 4% of the Canadian population (1.3 million people). The relationship between the governments of India and Canada, once driven by their shared commercial interests, has recently faced a significant downturn. This shift is primarily attributed to the tragic killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent pro-Khalistan Sikh activist, on Canadian soil in June of last year. Nijjar was the leader of the pro-Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and also held a prominent position at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, Canada. His life was tragically cut short when two unidentified assailants gunned him down within the Gurdwara premises. The Canadian government has raised serious allegations, claiming that India played a role in Nijjar's murder. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly asserted this during an emergency parliamentary session, and as a consequence, the Canadian government expelled an Indian diplomat. Trudeau has stated that he possesses credible evidence of Indian involvement in Nijjar's assassination and even disclosed that he discussed the matter with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 conference. India, in response, has vehemently dismissed these accusations as "unfounded" and "targeted," while also strongly condemning the expulsion of its diplomat. India swiftly reciprocated by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat posted in the country, giving them a five-day notice to leave India. Signs of strained relations between Canada and India have been emerging over the past few years. Trudeau's public support for the anti-government farmers' movement in India in 2020 and his expression of concern for Indian citizens involved in the agitation against the Agrarian Act did not sit well with Delhi. India accuses Canada of providing support and shelter to pro-Khalistani individuals and alleges that many individuals on India's "most wanted" list have sought refuge in Canada. India expressed its concerns about pro-Khalistan protesters in Canada by summoning the Canadian High Commissioner in March. The Khalistan issue stands at the forefront of the deteriorating India-Canada relations. Although Trudeau has reassured India on multiple occasions that Canada does not support any separatist movements within India, the current situation leaves the future of their relationship uncertain. Geographically distant, with Canada in North America and India in Asia, the two countries are separated by a vast distance of 11,462 kilometres. Nevertheless, their ties run deep in education, culture, and trade. A significant Indian diaspora, numbering at least 1.4 million, resides in Canada, drawn to the country for higher education and employment opportunities. This Indian community constitutes 3.7 per cent of Canada's total population, with a substantial portion being Sikhs. Canada boasts a Sikh population of 770,000, comprising 2 per cent of its total populace, a higher proportion compared to India's 1.7 percent. Sikhs play an influential role in Canadian politics, with 18 Sikh Members of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons, surpassing their representation percentage in India. Canada values its trade relationship with India, with both countries engaging in the import and export of various goods. Notably, in 2022, the trade volume between Canada and India reached its peak, totalling $9 billion USD. India primarily imports fertilizers and energy resources such as coal, coke, and briquettes from Canada. Conversely, consumer goods, vehicles, aircraft manufacturing equipment, electronic devices, and clothing flow from India to Canada. According to Canadian government statistics, this marked a 57 percent increase from the previous year. Canada was India's top source of fossil fuel imports, accounting for $1 billion worth in 2022. Additionally, Canada exported approximately $750 million worth of fertilizers and $390 million worth of woodworking equipment to India. Canada has also made substantial investments in the Indian market, ranking 17th in terms of foreign investors. Since 2000, Canada has invested over $3.6 billion USD in India. Education is another domain where India-Canada relations flourish. Many Indian students pursue higher education in Canada, and they are highly regarded for their talents. In fact, Indians constitute the largest group of foreign students studying in Canada. Over the past two decades, a significant number of Sikhs from India have chosen to migrate to Canada and establish their lives there, primarily motivated by opportunities for higher education and employment. This enduring partnership between Canada and India is bolstered by a growing network of official dialogues, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and working groups. At the ministerial level, the two nations maintain a strategic partnership with dialogues on foreign policy, trade and investment, finance, and energy. On the officials' level, several working groups delve into critical areas like counter-terrorism, security, agriculture, education, and science and technology. In India, Canada is represented by the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi, with Consulates General in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Mumbai, and additional trade offices in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Furthermore, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) maintains a substantial presence in India, with the High Commission in New Delhi hosting Canada's largest visa office abroad. India reciprocates by having a High Commission in Ottawa and consulates in Toronto and Vancouver. The trade relationship between Canada and India is of particular significance. India was Canada's 10th largest trading partner in 2022, and both countries are actively working towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA). Ministerial Dialogues on Trade and Investment are held regularly to explore ways to deepen the commercial relationship. Canada and India have established an extensive suite of bilateral agreements and MOUs touching upon various aspects of commerce, including nuclear cooperation, double taxation, science and technology, agriculture, civil aviation, energy, education, and information and communications technologies. Canada's commercial priorities in India align with India's policy objectives and include supporting India's energy security, and infrastructure development, promoting innovation in sectors like artificial intelligence and digital industries, increasing exports of food products, integrating Canadian companies into India's automotive supply chains, and fostering collaboration in the Life Sciences sector. Since 2018, India has emerged as the largest source country for international students in Canada. Education cooperation is a priority for Canada, focusing on enhancing education and skills training through greater collaboration between Canadian and Indian educational and technical institutions. Regarding development cooperation, while Canada's bilateral development assistance program in India concluded in 2006 due to changes in Indian government policy, Canada continues to provide support through Indian and Canadian Non-Governmental Organizations and multilateral mechanisms like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. This funding targets sustainable economic development, the treatment of infectious diseases, nutrition, and renewable energy projects in vulnerable communities. Key multilateral organizations in India supported by Canada include the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the World Bank, and various United Nations agencies. The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) maintains an active presence in India, focusing on critical issues such as climate change and migration, violence reduction against vulnerable populations, women's rights, economic opportunities, and food security. Over the years, IDRC has invested significantly in projects and activities in India. In summary, the relationship between Canada and India is multi-faceted and continually evolving, underpinned by shared values and interests. Both nations are committed to deepening their cooperation across various sectors to strengthen their ties further. Now, to be honest, India's situation is quite mixed at home and abroad. There are no jobs in India, but the money that is paid in the mines is nothing but exploitation. Those who are highly skilled or who want to earn a lot of money in life have no scope of opportunities in India. Those who do not have the opportunity to go to America or want to go through less competition are choosing Canada as their destination. As a result, India has an advantage, that is, India's soft power is being created. Canadians are not dependent on India; Yes, it is true that cheap labor is available, but the way we are forced to leave or flee to a big country like Hangla, they are not in the same situation as us. Naturally, Pakistan wants to take full advantage of this situation. It is a different matter that if Maharaj Ranjit Singh's Punjab or today's Khalistan is created, Pakistan will be divided into pieces. We need to highlight this point. Maharaj Ranjit Singh fought for Hindustan; Against the Mughals and the British. How long will the Sikh brothers fight against their own history?! There is no point in denying this. If indeed RAW did it, we as Indians should be proud that we are able to do something in first-world countries by going beyond provincialism. There is no end in politics, it is just a game of interest, there is no end, the dice can change anytime. But since the polls are ahead, the Indian government should not do anything excessive to warm itself. Canada is not exactly Pakistan.

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