GS Paper 2
Syllabus: India’s bilateral relations
Source: TH
Context: The article discusses the frictions in India-Canada ties, particularly regarding Canadian politicians supporting separatism in India.
About Canada
Canada is the second largest country in the world, occupying a significant portion of North America. It is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The border between Canada and the United States is primarily marked by the 49th parallel north. Canada is known for its abundant lakes, including Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake, Winnipeg Lake, and the five Great Lakes that it shares with the United States: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario
Challenges in India-Canada Relations:
| Challenges | Examples |
| Sikh extremism | Presence of Sikh separatist groups in Canada E.g., In 2022, India objected to Canada permitting a Khalistani secessionist “referendum” |
| Concerns about the revival of the Khalistan movement
E.g., a recent incident where a pro-Khalistani parade in Canada featured a tableau depicting India’s former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her assassins. |
|
| Sikh Diaspora’s Influence on Canadian Politics
e.g., Canadian PM Justin Trudeau relied on the New Democratic Party (NDP) for his government’s survival, and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is a vocal supporter of Khalistan. |
|
| Impediments for Trade | India’s Complex labour laws; Market protectionism; Bureaucratic regulations |
| Trade Issues | No progress has been made in bilateral agreements such as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPA) |
| Canada’s interference | Canadian comments over India’s farmer protests and India’s cancellation of diplomatic talks in response. |
Areas of Cooperation in India-Canada Relations:
| Relations | Examples and Initiatives |
| Diplomatic | India established diplomatic relations with Canada in 1947. Prime Minister of India’s visit to Canada in April 2015 elevated the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership. |
| Political | India and Canada share commonalities in Parliamentary structure and procedures. |
| Commercial | Bilateral trade between India and Canada stands at over USD 6.4 billion in 2020. Negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). |
| Nuclear Cooperation | Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA) signed in 2010 by, Joint Committee on Civil Nuclear Cooperation, restoration of nuclear cooperation. |
| Science and Technology | IC-IMPACTS (the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability) is the first, and only, Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence. |
| Department of Earth Science and Polar Canada have started a programme for the exchange of knowledge and scientific research on Cold Climate (Arctic) Studies.
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| Space Cooperation | Cooperative and commercial relations in space science, satellite launch services, ground support, and the launch of Canadian nanosatellites. |
| Security and Defence | Collaboration in international fora, mutual ship visits, Framework for Cooperation between India and Canada on Countering Terrorism in 2018 |
| Indo-Pacific: Both countries share a suspicion of China and support free and open navigation in international waters. | |
| People-to-People Ties | Large Indian diaspora in Canada, diaspora’s contribution in various sectors, political representation, cultural exchanges. |
| Cultural Exchanges | Country of Focus at the International Film Festival of India, India-Canada Coproduction Agreement, Diwali celebrations on Parliament Hill. |
| Cooperation in COVID-19 Pandemic | Repatriation flights for stranded Canadians, export of medicines and medical supplies to Canada. |
Conclusion:
While India-Canada relations have faced challenges, there is a growing recognition of the potential benefits and opportunities in various areas of cooperation. Efforts are being made to deepen understanding and strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
Mains Links
Prelims Links:
Which among the following has the world’s largest reserves of Uranium? ( UPSC 2009)
(a) Australia
(b) Canada
(c) Russian Federation
(d) USA
Ans: A
