Trudeau’s Shift in Stance: Amid strained India-Canada relations, Prime Minister Trudeau has called for the protection of India’s sovereignty, signalling an attempt to mend ties
Political and Economic Pressure: Trudeau faces political isolation and economic challenges, with a decline in Indian professionals and students affecting Canada’s economy
Domestic Political Shifts: The breakdown of the Trudeau-Jagmeet Singh alliance has weakened Trudeau politically, leading to the rise of Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre
Potential Free Trade Agreement: Strengthening relations with India could lead to the revival of the stalled free trade agreement, offering economic benefits to both countries
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has often found himself amid controversy, whether due to his critical remarks against India, his support for Khalistani groups advocating for their rights and liberties within Canada, or even his recent accusation that India interfered in Canadian domestic affairs. Additionally, his government’s recent welcoming of a Nazi soldier from World War II, who was involved in the persecution of Jews, has further damaged his image. Trudeau’s actions and remarks, particularly concerning India, have frequently drawn criticism, tarnishing his reputation in recent times.
Interestingly, there has been a shift in Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s stance. He has now called for the protection of India’s sovereignty and integrity, stating that there is only “one India” and that Canada should not, and cannot, be involved in anything that contradicts this concept. This statement is particularly intriguing as it comes at a time when India-Canada relations are strained. Additionally, it coincides with the period leading up to Canada’s general elections. There are many potential takeaways from this statement by Prime Minister Trudeau, especially in the context of domestic and international politics.
At present, the relationship between India and Canada is at its lowest point, primarily due to continuous tensions, many of which have been fueled by Canada. The Canadian government has blamed India for several issues, including the recent accusation by Prime Minister Trudeau that the Indian government was involved in the killing of an Indian-Canadian citizen in Canada. Canada has also accused India of interfering in its domestic political affairs.
Recent Problems for PM Trudeau
For Prime Minister Trudeau, recent times have been particularly challenging. His public approval ratings have dropped, and he faces not only political pressure but also economic challenges. Indians play a significant role in the Canadian economy, as many choose Canada for professional and academic opportunities. However, in recent times, the declining numbers of Indian students and professionals have created problems for the Canadian economy. This has led to protests by the Indian community in Canada, demanding a more welcoming approach from Trudeau’s administration towards Indian students and professionals.
Another major issue for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been political. His key ally, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh, withdrew his support for Trudeau’s Liberal Party in September, weakening the alliance that had kept Trudeau in power. This withdrawal has created numerous challenges for the prime minister. Jagmeet Singh’s decision to pull out comes at a time when there were accusations that he had pressured the Trudeau administration to prioritize the evacuation of Sikhs from Afghanistan during the Taliban takeover in 2021. These differences between Singh and Trudeau eventually culminated in the breakdown of their alliance.
Meanwhile, this political rift paved the way for the rise of Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Poilievre, who is enthusiastic and vocal in challenging Trudeau on various political, social, and economic issues, has gained significant traction. As a result, Prime Minister Trudeau finds himself increasingly isolated politically.
Another critical issue Canada is currently facing is a significant economic crisis. While the country is not technically in a recession, many economists argue that the economic situation is effectively similar to one. Canada is grappling with several problems, including a rising cost of living, increasing housing prices, and growing inflation, while wages have stagnated. As a result, a large number of people have become homeless, as they simply cannot afford accommodation costs. This has created substantial financial strain for many Canadians, leading to growing discontent with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The Indian angle is particularly important here, as many Indians have historically chosen Canada as a destination for economic and academic opportunities, contributing significantly to Canada’s economy. However, due to the ongoing rift in India-Canada relations, the number of Indian students and professionals moving to Canada has decreased, adding further challenges to the country’s economic situation.
Amidst all these challenges, Prime Minister Trudeau’s recent statements regarding India seem to indicate that he is trying to undo some of the mistakes he has made in the past. His reaction is somewhat reminiscent of President Muizzu of the Maldives, who was highly critical of India last year, only to later reconsider due to the economic challenges his country faced. Similarly, it appears that Trudeau has realized the importance of maintaining strong ties with India, not only to stabilize his political situation but also to address the Khalistani issue, which has negatively impacted Canada’s image internationally.
India has maintained significant diplomatic pressure on Canada regarding this issue, and Trudeau’s recent call for improved relations with India suggests he may be looking to resolve this quickly. This could help not only in strengthening Canada’s international standing but also in creating political stability at home. Additionally, by fostering good ties with India, Canada could see an increase in the number of Indian students and professionals, which would boost its economy.
Moreover, Canada stands to gain geopolitical advantages in the Asia-Pacific region by aligning more closely with India, potentially joining the ranks of the United States and its European allies in this strategic area. India could be a key partner in these efforts.
Finally, there has been talk of a free trade agreement between India and Canada, which has been stalled due to the strained relations. A free trade agreement could provide significant economic benefits to Canada, especially given its stagnating economy. If Trudeau continues on his current path of improving relations with India, this agreement could be revived, offering much-needed economic relief and helping to strengthen ties between the two nations.
Another important aspect of the India-Canada relationship is the need for independence in their bilateral ties, particularly from the Canadian side. The influence of the United States should not be a factor or parameter in shaping the India-Canada relationship. Historically, it has been observed that as U.S.-India relations improve, Canada’s relationship with India has also grown. However, for the India-Canada relationship to truly thrive, it needs to be independent of external influences, particularly those of the U.S. An independent approach would benefit both nations.
References:
(Aayush is a post-graduate student in International Relations at Kalinga University, Raipur. The opinions expressed are the author’s own)
Sindhuri Sai 
Parag Gilada