How India-Canada ties could see a reset
As India and Canada look to reset ties after last year’s full-blown diplomatic spat, the future hinges upon how well Ottawa responds to New Delhi’s core concerns of not allowing Indian-origin gangsters, fugitives and Khalistani elements to thrive.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet his Canadian counterpart Mike Carney on the sidelines pf the G-7 summit in Canada on June 17. It is not that Canada is oblivious to India’s concerns. A 2018 Annual Report mentioned the “threat of terrorism” and for the first time referred to “Khalistani extremism” as a risk factor.
Over the past several years, India has sent almost two dozen extradition requests and another 30-odd “requests to arrest”. Canada did not act on these. India has been raising objections over lack of action against those espousing a separatist pro-Khalistan ideology. Canada calls it free speech.
Last year, New Delhi lodged a protest against an objectionable tableau depicting the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi in Canada. A day ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Carney, some videos have emerged of young Sikh boys in Canada kicking at posters of Modi.
The Nijjar episode
Some years ago, India had expressed its strong objection when Canada granted citizenship to Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose killing in June 2023 led to the present crisis. Nijjar was wanted by the Indian law enforcement agencies. He was facing an Interpol red corner notice. In July 2020, India declared Nijjar an “individual terrorist” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a Rs 10-lakh bounty on his head in July 2022.
The way forward
The two countries are working out a new arrangement between law enforcement agencies to share intelligence on transnational crime, syndicates, terrorism and extremist activities. India has also suggested that the Canadian government should check the antecedents of individuals who enter the country illegally and later seek asylum.
If the arrangement works well, the other verticals like expansion of trade, space cooperation, nuclear energy, climate change, Arctic research and people-to-people ties will fall in place.
On the economic front, the Canadian Pension Funds continue to be bullish on India, and have cumulatively invested over $75 billion. Trade talks are poised to go ahead.
At the strategic level, India is looking to revive the supplies of uranium from Canada. The Indian space agency ISRO and Canadian Space Agency have signed MoUs for cooperation in the field of exploration and utilisation of outer space and, crucially, addressing satellite tracking and space astronomy.
Nearly 30 lakh people of Indian origin live in Canada, forming nearly 4.35 per cent of the population. Since the two sides downgraded ties in October last year, Ottawa has been selective in issuing visas to Indian nationals wanting to visit their families. This could change if the two sides agree to upgrade their engagement.
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