T HE India-Canada relations are in a phase of renewed momentum as the two countries close in on a free trade agreement by the year-end. The bitterness in the ties caused by the pro-Khalistani turn taken by Canada under former Prime Minister Mr. Justin Trudeau is now totally gone as his successor Mr. Mike Carney is in an overdrive to elevate the bilateral relations into a strategic partnership. Keeping in view the changing geopolitical equations and growing uncertainty over energy and food security, the Indo-Canadian partnership holds great potential of transforming into a strong middle-powers alliance. Both countries have enough reasons to come together for a strategic partnership after the shocks caused by US President Mr. Donald Trump and the unending West Asia crisis.

 

This point has become the foundation for the bilateral relations with Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart taking extra efforts to translate potential into actual performance. Canada’s growing inclination to make India its major trade partner is reflected in the presence of the largest Canadian trade delegation to India in 30 years. Canada’s Minister for International Trade Mr. Maninder Sidhu and Foreign Minister Ms. Anita Anand touched down in Delhi and embarked on negotiations to give shape to the trade partnership. How India values its future partnership with Canada was seen in the special audience granted by Mr. Modi to Ms. Anand. The Canadian Foreign Minister was scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister Mr. S Jaishankar during her stay in India but Mr. Modi chose to host Ms. Anand thus sending a positive message to Ottawa. The meeting came a day after the PM had a telephonic conversation with Mr. Carney discussing key areas of the strategic partnership. That the two leaders discussed the impacts of geopolitical instability for the Indo-Pacific region underscores the efforts by India and Canada to take their ties beyond trade and commerce to maritime security. It is an important move by New Delhi in face of the hostile attitude by the US towards India.

 

It will have a direct effect on the Quad grouping and India is doing well to keep the flock together in the Indian Ocean Region and larger Indo-Pacific region to ensure maritime dominance. Canada is not a member of the Quadrilateral Dialogue grouping but has historically shown interest in the Indo-Pacific with its own strategy. A maritime security agreement between India and Canada can be advantageous to both nations in securing their interests in the Indo-Pacific. The two countries are currently negotiating a free-trade pact — the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). They concluded the fifth round of negotiations in Canada last week and are hoping to close the deal by the year-end. The FTA has helped in increased engagement between the two nations as the leaders want to build on the renewed momentum to seal a trade partnership in their diversification strategy. Both India and Canada have been hit by the high US tariffs. Both are being targeted by Mr. Trump for standing up for their people. This has become a common thread between New Delhi and Ottawa as leadership in both countries realises the need to keep the whimsical Americans away and build an alternate front in face of growing political aggression by the White House. Trade will definitely form the crux of India’s next phase of ties with Canada, and it will be beneficial for both nations. But there are areas of great significance where the two can work together and reap rich dividends. Canada has signaled its intent to accommodate Indian talent which might be denied opportunity in the US due to the Trump administration’s hatred for the H1-B visa. IT firms based in Canada can tap Indian professionals after the suspension of IT firms from the US green card programme. The renewed momentum both India and Canada are seeking will be spurred by many such engagements in critical sectors.