Indo-Pacific Strategy of Canada

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

Significance of the visit

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.

Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy

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

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.

ANTRIXhas launched several nanosatellites from Canada.

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.