NEW CHAPTER IN INDIA CANADA RELATIONS

VICISSITUDES IN INDO CANADA RELATIONS 

Indo Canada bilateral relations dates back to  19th century and both were members of Common Wealth Nations and G20.Indian emigration to Canada also started in 2nd half of 19th century.Eventhough Canadian Government initially introduced immigration quotas  by 1970s and 1980s Indian emigration to Canada increased rapidly,and Indians   became one of the largest immigrant  population in Canada. As per one estimate Canada ranks 4th among countries with large Indian population of 2875,954 people of Indian origin.  As per the estimates  of students there were more than 8 lakh  international students in Canada  in 2022 wherein 40% were from India.During in the period 2023 to 2025 India Canada diplomatic relations deteriorated mainly due to  the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation that India was responsible to  assasinate a Khalistani separatist movement leader in June 2023. Following this  grave accusations and counter arguments and actions led to the cdiplomatic stand off and suspension of  visa services between both countries  .However when in early 2025 Indian Prime Minister visited Canada to attend G 7 Summit at the invitation of  present  Canadian Prime Minister Mark  Carney in early 2025 normalcy in relationship was restored, particularly in the context of changing global geo political dynamics and US President's threat to occupy even  Canada and Greenland. Infact after a period of strained relationship between Canada and India Canadaian Prime Minister Mark Carney's path breaking visit in March 2026 to India became instrumental in  nitiating the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA signalling a renewed big push to further deepening  bilateral relations. 

After the introduction of economic reforms and liberalisation policies in India in 1990s the Canadian Government and businesmen were attracted to India which was further strengthened and accelerated by the bilateral visits and discussions of leaders and entrepreneurs of both countries. But the relationship got strained following our nuclear test in May 1998.But Sanctions were lifted in 2001 . Further during late  2000s and early 2010s both countries witnessed a great leap in the relationship particularly after the signing of Nuclear Cooperation Agreement and other Agreements .By 2024 India became Canada's seventh largest goods and services trading partner .and bilateral trade reached to  $8.6 billion in Financial year 2023-24. India's exports to Canada stood US$ 3.84 billion in Financial year 2023-24 which increased to US $ 4.21 in Financial year 2024-25. Major export items  from India comprise of pharmaceutical products, nuclear reactors,boilers and parts  mineral fuels and oils,electrical machinery  and organic chemicals etc.On the otherhand imports from Canada  include edible vegetables, roots and tubers ,mineral oils and products, fertilizers and precious stones and natural ore. More than 600 Canadian companies and organizations were established in India and hundreds more became vibrant in pursuing bilateral  commercial relationships with $100 billion investment including $ 70 billion of Canadian portfolio investment in India.

NEW CHAPTER OF COMPREHENSIVE PARTNERSHIP. 

After episodic tensions and reactive diplomacy major breakthrough came when present Prime Minister of Canada Carney not only invited Indian Prime Minister to G7 meet and assured his participation but also Carney had a very fruitful and meaningful visit in India by  initiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership where already 25  items of agreements/ MOU s were signed. By signing the formal terms of reference  both Canada and India are committed to finalizing the Agreement by the end of the year and subsequently doubling bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030.More significantly $ 2.6 billion Canadian dollars and nine year Uranium supply Agreement between Government of India Cameco further demonstrate deepening strategic cooperation between the two countries and level of trust. Nuclear energy requires long term trust regularity and trust. Both critical minerals and energy remain distinct areas of complementarity. Canada produce oil and gas, Uranium for clean case load power and critical minerals required for electrical vehicles and advanced manufacturing  and India can provide stable market  due to both scale and demand. Moreover India's technology is catching up with competitive technologies in other countries especially in the context large number of Startups,  innovation ecosystem,Global Capability Centers  (GCC), Green Technologies and AI  all of which offers immense scope for cooperation and mutual benefit for  both countries. 

CONCLUSION 

Canada and India share over 75 years of of diplomatic relations and deep people to  people ties.The Indo Canadian economic cooperation is currently at a major turning point  where trade,investment, immigration, defense, security and culture ,all are expected to benefit.The Indo Canadian trade  relationship is  strongly characterized by  partnership in critical minerals, clean technology and supply chain diversification and resilience. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement  CEPA negotiations aims to eliminate tariffs on a substantial part of bilateral trade covering goods ,services  rules of origin,,sanitary and Physto sanitary measures, intellectual property Rights and technical barriers to trade. Despite  the dark cloud appeared on diplomatic relations during 2023- 24 Indian prime Minister's participation in G7 summit and Canadian Prime Ministers visit  during  March 2026 were instrumental to achieve great watershed in not only normalizing the relationship but also initiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership  between the two countries .It has been observed that Canada has been very liberal towards the cultural and festival activities of the immigrants in Canada.But some immigrants suggest that few  checks and balances are inevitable to curb unlawful activities and protect responsible civic life. In any case  the comprehensive Economic Partnership is bound to make bilateral relations and economic development more flourishing  in both countries in the years ahead.