The issue of visas and access to destinations like Canada for education and job opportunities is important for India. How does Canada position itself towards Indians who want to live, work or study there?
That question dominates an interview with Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand this week. Her answer: “The people-to-people ties between India and Canada are strong. Students form one facet of broader relationship, but part of drivers of relationship being renewed is people-to-people ties and students included. Universities across country are partnering with India, Indian universities and firms. We have Canadian universities that have presence and are seeking greater presence India, and we are fully supportive of that. In terms of broader visa question, of course rests with Minister of Immigration, but I will say we very much value educational connection between two countries.”
Read more - The 301 Trap
What has changed in two years? Two years after diplomatic freeze over Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing allegations, both sides now talk of significant progress. In Davos earlier this year, PM Carney talked about rules-based order. Both India and Canada are facing challenges from their neighbours - US and China. How do India and Canada cooperate in maintaining rules-based order in face of these challenges?
Anand's reply goes back to Davos speech: PM Carney was saying that traditional set of rules upon which global economy and broader international order were founded have dissipated, have disappeared, and as middle powers, we can stand by and watch, or we can take leading role in forming new international order, which is being developed as we speak. Canada feels it has role to play internationally, bringing other middle powers together on issues that relate to national sovereignty and resilience, whether Arctic security, maritime security, Ukraine, information systems, technology, those are issues that strategically matter for individual countries. There are also issues on which countries can cooperate to further strategic autonomy.
On China, Anand echoes Goyal: We are open to all countries around world as long as we get fair deal, as long as we ensure continuity in engagement, and as long as geopolitical situation does not deteriorate.
Read more - Beyond BrahMos
Jaishankar said: We also have very major economic issues with China. If you look today at trade balance, it is completely tilted towards China. The tilt is extremely one-sided, and in many sectors where we have done well with rest of world, we have not had market access. We have not had successful business operation for that sector in China. We do believe today that we are not getting level playing field in China in manner in which we have given level playing field to them.
On war in Ukraine, India has initiated proposal for partial ceasefire in Black Sea area, keeping in mind food security. How do you see evolution of India from being advocate for peace to actually taking steps? Canada is very keen to play role as well as in ensuring we bring parties to table. I've spoken with Minister Jaishankar about Black Sea ceasefire proposal, have spoken with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and been trying to ensure Canada supports this process as much as stability of supply chains in agriculture and agri-food is of fundamental importance, including in Black Sea. When you think about Ukraine's dominance in agriculture, wheat farming, rest of world needs those exports to continue.
Read more - Guns For Friends
On Strait of Hormuz: Fundamentally, we need to continue to support UN Convention on Law of Sea and concept of freely navigable waterways. In addition, we need to call out and condemn Iranian retaliatory attacks in and around Strait of Hormuz, and finally, need to ensure we're working to support Gulf countries. Their economic welfare and livelihood is deeply connected with navigable Strait of Hormuz, and so Canada, as energy superpower, will continue to do whatever we can in that respect. At beginning of war, we put forward 23.6 million barrels of oil to stabilise energy supplies, and we'll continue to do this type work in support of freely navigable Strait of Hormuz and supply chains that are negatively affected.
On Republic Day chief guest: January 26 is very important date for Republic of India. I know PM Carney is looking forward to welcoming PM Modi in Canada in December. In terms of schedule after that, those decisions are with his office. But I know that two leaders spoke yesterday. Their relationship is strong, and it is honour to be able to have this conversation with you on behalf of our country.
The thaw is real, driven by students, trade, and need for middle-power solidarity.
Hashtags: #IndiaCanada #AnitaAnand #MarkCarney #IndiaCanada Ties #StudentVisa #RulesBasedOrder #BlackSeaCeasefire #StraitOfHormuz #ModiCarney