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Indo-Pacific Strategy of Canada

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February 20, 2023

Why in news?

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for the India-Canada Strategic Dialogue in Delhi.

Why is Melanie Joly’s visit so significant?

  • The two Ministers expressed interest in deepening collaboration across domains and look forward to the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA).
  • India welcomed Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, given the shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
  • India’s growing strategic, economic, and demographic importance makes it a critical partner for Canada in the Indo-Pacific.
  • In return, Canada can be a reliable supplier of critical minerals, a strong partner in the green transition and a major investor.

What is Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy about?

Canada is the last G7 nation to embrace the concept of the Indo-Pacific and 20% of its population originates in the Indo-Pacific region.

  • Fund - The strategy contains a funding commitment of US $1.7 billion over 5 years.
  • Area - It is spread over infrastructure projects through the US-led G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.
  • It allocates 403 million dollar for an enhanced military presence in the Indian Ocean, and expanded participation in regional military exercises.
  • Objectives
    • Promote peace, resilience and security
    • Expand trade, investment and supply chain resilience Invest in and connect people
    • Build a sustainable and green future
    • Be an active and engaged partner to the Indo-Pacific

What about Canada-India relations?

The immigrants from India account for at least 1.4% of the population of Canada.

  • Common Values - Shared values of democracy, pluralism, expanding economic engagement, regular high level interactions and long-standing people-to-people ties.
  • Development Cooperation - As of 2021, Canada invested nearly $24 million in 2018-2019 to support 75 projects in India via Grand Challenges Canada.
  • Nuclear Agreements - The Appropriate Arrangement (AA) for the NCA was signed in 2013, under which a Joint Committee on Civil Nuclear Cooperation was constituted.
  • Security and Defence - India and Canada collaborate closely in international for the UN, Commonwealth and G-20.
  • Science and Tech - ISRO and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) have signed MOUs in the field of exploration and utilisation of outer space.
  • ANTRIX has launched several nanosatellites from Canada.

What are the challenges in the bilateral relation?

  • The big issue for India is the safe haven that Canada has been for separatist Khalistani groups.
  • In 2022, New Delhi objected to Canada permitting a Khalistani secessionist referendum in the Sikh diaspora, and hit back with an advisory against travel in Canada that warned against hate crimes.

 

References

  1. The Indian Express|Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy
  2. The Hindu|India, Canada FMs discuss reset in ties with Indo-Pacific strategy

 

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