An India-Canada bonding that is in danger of snapping
Source: The Hindu
For Prelims: Bilateral relations between India and other Countries, Culture of India exchanges with other Countries
For Mains: Historical and Cultural ties between Canada and India, Canada bonding that is in danger of snapping
Highlights of the Article
Permanent Residents
Sikh Community in Canada
Global Compact on Migration
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Indian diaspora in Canada
Context:
The current state of Canada-India diplomatic relations has evoked a mountain of uncertainty. The questions are: what uncertainty and for whom? India is a prime origin country of immigrants to Canada, who have settled there as naturalised citizens (most holding the Overseas Citizenship of India, a life-time Indian visa or semi-dual-citizenship) as well as permanent residents (PRs) who range from investors, industrialists and business people, the highly skilled “knowledge professionals” to low- and medium-skilled “service workers”
UPSC EXAM NOTES ANALYSIS:
1. Different types of Citizenships for Indian People in Canada
Indian citizens living in Canada form a significant part of Canada's immigrant population. Canada has a large and diverse Indian diaspora, and many Indian citizens have chosen to settle in Canada for various reasons, including economic opportunities, quality of life, and family reunification
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
- The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is a status that was introduced by the Government of India to grant foreign nationals of Indian origin certain privileges and rights, akin to those of Indian citizens, without granting them full citizenship. The OCI status is particularly designed for people of Indian origin and their descendants living abroad
- OCI is typically available to individuals who were citizens of India or whose parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents were citizens of India at the time of India's independence or at any time thereafter
- OCI cardholders enjoy several rights and privileges in India, including the ability to travel to India without requiring a visa, own property in India, and open bank accounts. They also have the right to work and study in India.
- OCI status provides parity with non-resident Indians (NRIs) in various economic, financial, and educational matters
Permanent Residents (PRs)
- Permanent residents (PRs) who range from investors, industrialists and business people, the highly skilled “knowledge professionals” to low- and medium-skilled “service workers”
- Permanent Residents (PRs) are individuals who have been granted the legal status to live and work indefinitely in a foreign country, usually without being citizens of that country.
- This status is also known as permanent residency, immigrant status, or green card status, depending on the country.
- PR status offers a level of legal residency and certain rights similar to those of citizens, but it does not confer full citizenship, including the right to vote in most cases.
- The specific rules and benefits of PR status can vary widely from one country to another.
2. Indian People's migration history with Canada
- Among the Indian diaspora in Canada, 7,70,000 people are from the Sikh religion. Sikhs of Indian origin dominate the Canadian tapestry of the Indian diaspora, coexisting harmoniously with other religions, primarily Indian Hindus for over a century
- Despite the occasional strains caused by the separatist Khalistan movement gaining some support in Canada, the strong ties between the Indian diaspora and Canadian society have survived
- One needs to go back in history to the tragic incident of May 23, 1914 when the steamship SS Komagata Maru arriving in Vancouver with 376 Indian passengers was denied entry due to the colonial British laws in Canada
- The passengers were primarily Sikhs from Punjab but there were also Hindus, Muslims and Christians, all hoping for a new life in Canada. A century later, the Canadian government, upholding multicultural values enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
played a constructive role - On May 1, 2014, a stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the arrival of SS
Komagata Maru was released by Canada Post, and on May 18, 2016, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, delivered a formal statement of apology in the House of Commons for the Komagata Maru incident
3. How does the India-Canada tussle affect people ties?
- The recent India-Canada tussle has affected people ties in a number of ways:
- The diplomatic row has led to increased mistrust and suspicion between the two countries, both among governments and people. This is likely to make it more difficult for people from India and Canada to build relationships and trust each other.
- The tussle has also led to a reduction in cultural exchange between the two countries. For example, the Indian government has advised its citizens against visiting Canada, and the Canadian government has suspended its visa waiver program for Indian citizens. This is likely to make it more difficult for people from India and Canada to experience each other's cultures and learn about each other's perspectives.
- The tussle has also exacerbated existing divisions within the Indian-Canadian community. Some members of the community have sided with India, while others have sided with Canada. This has led to increased tensions and polarization within the community
- The tussle has had a negative impact on students and families from India who are living in Canada. Some students have reported feeling unwelcome and unsafe in Canada, and some families have had difficulty renewing their visas. This has created a lot of stress and anxiety for students and families
4. About the Khalistan movement
- The Khalistan movement is a Sikh separatist movement that seeks to create an independent Sikh state called Khalistan in the Indian state of Punjab.
- The movement began in the 1970s and has been marked by violence and political unrest.
- The Khalistan movement is based on the belief that the Sikhs are a distinct people with their own unique culture and history.
- Sikhs believe that they have been persecuted by the Indian government, and they demand an independent state where they can govern themselves.
- The Khalistan movement has been supported by some Sikhs in India and abroad.
- However, it is opposed by the Indian government, which considers it to be a threat to national security.
4.1.Khalistan Problem Resurfaces
- This crisis has brought the long-standing issue of Khalistan back into India-Canada relations.
- While the relationship faced challenges in the past, including Canada's criticism of India's nuclear tests in 1998, the current issue centres around Canada's perceived support for separatist Khalistani groups.
- Canada's Liberal Party has been accused of pandering to these groups for votes, particularly in constituencies where Khalistani sympathies hold sway.
4.2.Khalistan and Canadian Politics
- Jagmeet 'Jimmy' Dhaliwal, associated with Canada's New Democratic Party, is viewed with suspicion by the Indian establishment due to his pro-Khalistan sympathies.
- Canada's hosting of events attended by individuals linked to pro-Khalistan outfits, like Jaspal Atwal, during Trudeau's visit in 2018, further strained relations.
- The Khalistan "referendum," encouraged by Pakistani intelligence agencies, has been a significant irritant in recent years
5. Statistics between India-Canada
Canada's FDI in India: Canada accounts for a modest 0.56% of India's total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Out of the $645,386.0884 million in FDI equity inflow into India between April 2000 and June 2023, Canada contributed 0.5644% ($3,642.5243 million).
Indian Diaspora in Canada: Canada is home to a significant portion of overseas Indians. Of the 3,21,00,340 overseas Indians, 5.26% (16,89,055) reside in Canada. This includes 1,78,410 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and 15,10,645 Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs).
Indian Students in Canada: Canada is a popular destination for Indian students. In 2022, out of an estimated 13,24,954 Indian students studying abroad, 13.83% (1,83,310) were enrolled in Canadian institutions, according to data from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Canada's Role in Indian Tourism: Canada is the fourth-largest source of tourists visiting India, based on 2021 figures. Canadian tourists accounted for 5.3% (80,437) of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during that year. Notably, a significant portion of these tourists (72.6%) were members of the Indian diaspora.
Bilateral Trade: India's bilateral trade with Canada amounted to $8,161.02 million in the financial year 2022-23, making up only 0.70% of India's total trade of $1,165,000.88 million. Despite its modest size, India maintains a trade surplus with Canada, with exports surpassing imports by $58.45 million.
Trade Highlights
India's major exports to Canada during 2022-23 included medicines, vannamei shrimp, smartphones, gold-set diamond jewellery, basmati rice, iron pipes for oil/gas pipelines, coaches powered by external electricity, diamonds, and cotton t-shirts.
Key imports from Canada included coking coal, potassium chloride, lentils (masur dal), newsprint, wood pulp (mechanical and chemical pulp processes), and copper ores and concentrates.
6. Way forward
- The India-Canada diplomatic crisis underscores the importance of addressing each other's concerns and conducting a fair and impartial investigation into the allegations.
- Both nations must work to de-escalate tensions and find a way forward while considering the broader geopolitical implications of their actions.
- This crisis serves as a lesson for Canada and its partners on how to handle the sensitive issue of Khalistan in diplomatic relations
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Practice Mains Questions
1.Discuss the historical evolution of India-Canada diplomatic relations and their current status. What are the key issues and challenges in the political relationship?
2.Analyze the role of the Indian diaspora in Canada in promoting economic ties and investments between the two nations
3.Explore the role of cultural exchange programs and initiatives in strengthening India-Canada relations. Provide examples of successful cultural collaborations.
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