Revisiting the Indo-Canadian Bilateral

Why in news?

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau is slated for a comprehensive week long bilateral visit to India in some time.

How influential are the Canadian Indians?

This is Mr. Trudeau’s first trip to India after becoming PM in 2015, but he has always had Indians around.
Notably, Indian Diaspora comprises 3.6% of the Canadian population and is well-educated, affluent and politically suave.
Currently, there are 19 persons of Indian origin are members in the House of Commons, of which 17 (15 Sikhs) represent Mr. Trudeau’s Liberal Party.
He is particularly close to the Sikh community and 4 sikhs are part of the cabinet too.
While these should’ve put Indo-Canadian ties at a high, the resurgence of anti-India activities in Canada due to pro-Khalistani elements is forming a stress point.

Are pro-Khalistan factions prominent?

The Ontario Provincial Parliament adopted a resolution moved by the Harinder Malhi, terming the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as ‘genocide’.
India termed this a “misguided motion based on a limited understanding of India, its Constitution, society, ethos, rule of law and its judicial process.”
Subsequently, Mr. Trudeau himself showed up at the Toronto nagar kirtan where Khalistani flags and pictures of slain Sikh terrorists were displayed.
This is in striking contrast to the former PM Stephen Harper, who had consciously shunned such platforms during his years in office.
Emboldened by these developments, self-appointed radical leaders even imposed a ban on the entry of Indian officials in Canadian Gurdwaras.
Thankfully, some sober voices within the Canadian Sikhs have criticised such dictates and argued that these are against the very spirit of the Sikh faith.
Khalistan issue has always figured prominently in Indo-Canada talks, as political parties in Canada continue to pander extremists for electoral gains.
But the bizarre aspect is that the current Trudeau government seems to be going beyond the needs of mere electoral arithmetic in courting the radicals.
As Canada has started becoming conscious of the electoral fallout of such a trend, it is now strategising to balance sikh assertions and India’s concerns.

How has the economic ties shaped up?

Indian diaspora have emerged as one of the most culturally vibrant immigrant communities and integrated well into the Canadian mainstream.
They have also become a major investor in India.
Additionally, in recent years has been a spike in investments by the well-endowed Canadian Pension Funds like CPPIB and CDPQ into India.
Together, some $12-15 billion Canadian dollars have flown to India in sectors like real estate, financial services, logistics and e-commerce.
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPA), have been struck for long.
Fast tracking and early conclusion of these would help in boosting bilateral economic trade, investments and related partnerships.
This will open up the services sector, and make it easier for highly skilled Indian professionals, to work in Canada.

What are the other significant aspects of the relationship?

During PM Modi’s Canadian visit in 2015, both sides agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.
Pulse import from Canada is another significant aspect in bilateral trade, along with the other multiple agri-tech collaborations between both nations.
Liberal Visa - As migration has been tightened in Britain and US, Indian students have begun heading in large numbers to Canada for higher education.
An added attraction is that Canada routinely provides a 3-year work visa upon completion of studies, which opens up avenues of employment and citizenship.
Notably, Canada continues with a liberal immigration policy and 2016 alone some 40,000 Indian immigrants getting admitted there.

Source: The Hindu