Sanjay Ruparelia, expert on India-Canada relations and author, discusses the strained relationship between the two countries, the growing Indian diaspora in Canada, and the political influence of the Sikh diaspora. The podcast also explores Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy and the possibilities of resetting the relationship under new administrations in both countries.
Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy aims to strengthen bilateral relations with India, but challenges in translating economic opportunities and differences in foreign policies pose obstacles.
The Sikh diaspora in Canada holds significant political influence, but issues related to Khalistan remain a bilateral concern with contradictory narratives and tensions.
Deep dives
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.
The Sikh Diaspora and its Political Significance in Canada
The Sikh diaspora in Canada has experienced remarkable growth, with a quadrupling of new Indian immigrants over the past decade. Sikhs constitute a politically potent community and hold positions of influence in Canadian public life, including in politics, journalism, and business. Their organizational strength has allowed them to exert a significant impact on writing nominations, which influences political representation. Alongside Hindus, the Sikh population occupies an important space in Canadian social and political life. However, issues related to Khalistan, the demand for a separate sovereign homeland, have been a longstanding bilateral concern, with contradictory narratives and tensions between Canada's right to freedom of expression and India's security concerns.
Challenges in Canada-India Relations: Security and Trade
Historically, there have been irritants in Canada-India relations, such as the misuse of civil nuclear technology and nuclear tests. The strategic convergence between the two countries faces challenges when it comes to security issues, with Canada expressing unease over some of India's positions. On the economic front, efforts to boost trade and investment between the two countries have faced stumbling blocks. Differences over agricultural liberalization, services, investor dispute mechanisms, and labour rights have posed challenges in trade negotiations. The structural differences in the economies, as well as the asymmetry in trade importance, have complicated efforts to expand economic cooperation.
The Escalating Diplomatic Crisis and Implications for Canada-India Relations
The recent escalating diplomatic crisis between Canada and India stemmed from Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations of Indian authorities' involvement in the killing of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil. The Indian government vehemently denies these allegations, which have strained bilateral relations further. The allegations come in the backdrop of previous controversies, including Trudeau's visit to India in 2018, where the visit was marred by missteps and perceived lack of political maturity. The current crisis has resulted in retaliatory measures, such as the expulsion of diplomats, suspension of visa services, and demands for diplomatic parity. Resetting the relationship will be challenging, and it may require significant efforts and possibly changing administrations in both countries.
1. Sanjay Ruparelia, “The opportunities and challenges of courting India,” in Maxwell A. Cameron, David Gillies and David Carment, eds.,Democracy and Foreign Policy in an Era of Uncertainty: Canada Among Nations 2022(Palgrave Macmillan, 2023): 241-268.
