👉 India and Canada share a long-standing bilateral relationship founded on shared democratic values, pluralism, and strong people-to-people ties. Over the years, this partnership has evolved through various agreements and dialogues, fostering cooperation across political, economic, cultural, and technological domains. However, recent tensions, particularly over the Khalistan issue, have strained this traditionally amicable relationship.

👉 Pre-independence ties: Indian migrants in Canada played a significant role in the freedom struggle through initiatives like the Swadesh Sevak Home.

👉 Post-independence developments: Diplomatic relations were established in 1947, inspired by shared federal structures. Cooperation initially focused on development and education, with India being a significant recipient of Canadian aid during the Cold War.

👉 Setbacks and recovery: Relations soured after India's nuclear tests and the Air India bombing in 1985 but improved in the 1990s with economic liberalization. In 2015, ties were elevated to a strategic partnership during the Indian PM’s visit to Canada.

👉 Political Relations: Strategic dialogues on trade, investment, energy, and foreign policy, supported by agreements like the Extradition Treaty and Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.

👉 Commercial Relations: Bilateral trade stood at $12 billion in 2023, though it remains below potential. Canada is a significant investor in India, and negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) are ongoing.

👉 Cultural Ties: Over 1.3 million Canadians are of Indian origin, strengthening cultural and educational exchanges. India is Canada’s top source of international students and a significant tourist destination.

👉 Technological Collaboration: Partnerships in R&D, space exploration, and nuclear energy enhance scientific and industrial innovation.

👉 Trade Barriers: Tariffs, non-tariff restrictions, and paused CEPA talks hinder economic cooperation.

👉 Human Rights Concerns: Both nations have raised issues regarding minority treatment, leading to diplomatic strains.

👉 Visa and Immigration Issues: Recent suspensions in visa processing and diplomatic exchanges reflect growing tensions.

👉 Geopolitical Divergences: Disagreements over issues like Kashmir, the Indo-Pacific, and Khalistani activism have strained ties.

👉 The Khalistan movement has been a long-standing point of contention. Canada’s large Sikh diaspora has voiced support for the movement, prompting Indian concerns over national security.

👉 Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist by India in 2020, was accused of involvement with the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), a banned extremist organization. India's repeated requests for extradition were ignored by Canada, citing domestic laws on free expression.

👉 In 2023, tensions escalated when Canadian PM Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in Nijjar’s killing, leading to diplomatic expulsions, visa suspensions, and stalled trade talks. India rejected the allegations as "baseless" and countered that Canada was providing a safe haven for extremists.

👉 Diplomatic Engagement: Regular high-level dialogues and Track II diplomacy can rebuild trust.

👉 Addressing the Khalistan Issue: Canada must take a firm stance against anti-India elements operating from its soil to restore faith in bilateral ties.

👉 Economic Cooperation: Resuming trade negotiations and reducing barriers can unlock the potential for bilateral trade and investment.

👉 Strategic Alignment: Collaborations in counter-terrorism, Indo-Pacific stability, and renewable energy can enhance mutual interests.