Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Significance of India

Canada unveiled its Indo-Pacific strategy, singling out India as a critical partner given its strategic, economic, and demographic weight. The strategy emphasizes shared commitments to democracy, multilateralism, and trade expansion. India's growing diaspora in Canada has played a significant role in strengthening people-to-people ties and has a considerable influence in Canadian politics. However, there have been challenges in translating economic opportunities into concrete trade agreements, with divergences on issues like agricultural liberalization and services. The differences in foreign policy orientations, historical tensions, and the complex nature of the economies pose significant obstacles to deepening bilateral relations.