India and Canada: A Changing Partnership

A shared history encourages the natural partnership of India and Canada. The two nations have embraced political democracy, pluralistic identities, vibrant civil societies and a market economy. What polities are at home, they are abroad too. This is true of India and Canada – and these very characteristics guide both New Delhi and Ottawa in their international outlook.

India has not only conducted 17 parliamentary elections and countless other state and local elections. It has, more importantly, deeply democratized its society. The real voice of India and the expressions of the most ordinary Indians are today finding articulation in our socio-economic and developmental narrative. Democracy is not just an exercise of rights; it is also a fulfilment of responsibilities. This is as true for the collective as it is for individuals. Democratic societies have a particular obligation to the weak and vulnerable. In today’s India, this is reflected in an emphasis on gender equality, affirmative action, sustainable development, and equitable access to essential public goods and services.

Canada would understand and empathize with such endeavours, having undertaken a similar journey itself in the past. Exchanging experiences and taking these together to the rest of the world, can be a shared enterprise. Indeed, this can be at the core of our endeavours through the Commonwealth and G-20. Together, we can make a real difference to the prospects of democracy in a world that no longer takes it for granted.

Together, we can make a real difference to the prospects of democracy

As pluralistic societies, India and Canada have nurtured a very broad spectrum of languages, faiths and ethnicities. This is our DNA and makes us what we are. But pluralism can sometimes pose its own challenges. It must be mindful of the broader societal and national framework in which it operates. And it should not lend itself to be misinterpreted or misused by those who would challenge national unity and integrity.

As market economies, India and Canada have a mutual familiarity; from technology to investment, there are natural synergies. Yet, there is more than that to this balance sheet. The value systems that we embed in our economic decisions — the deep commitment to transparency and market principles in our dealings — have an incalculable implication that must never be forgotten.

Democracy, pluralism and vibrant civil societies are a continuum. We are both strengthened by civil society opinions, interventions and activism. A culture of debate, in fact, adds resonance and creates a wider consensus to the shaping of policy. It gives communities a stake in policy-making and in social and economic development. Here too, both India and Canada have much to share with the world.

We live in an inter-connected world; human society increasingly celebrates and grieves together. Societies such as ours are threatened by terrorism in different forms. This begins with radicalization and violent extremism and, as our shared history has unfortunately seen, can go to acts of extreme violence and mass killings. Both our countries have been at the forefront of the struggle to counter terrorism, whether it is in global councils or on the ground. In Afghanistan, our contributions have complemented each other. At the G20, we have worked to advance global efforts against financing terrorism and in countering illicit, transnational flows that sometimes end up financing acts of terror.

India and Canada also share a deep-seated conviction about their responsibility in the effort to address climate change. For India, delivering on its Paris commitments is an article of faith, validated by actual achievement. Our ambitious renewable energy program reflects this. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set India on track to achieve a target of 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022, of which 100 GW will comprise solar energy. Performance has been so encouraging that the target for 2030 has been scaled up to 450 GW of renewable energy. We have already reduced emission intensity of GDP by 21 per cent and are on course to reaching the goal of 35 per cent announced in Paris.

India has co-created an institution in the form of the International Solar Alliance to promote the use of renewable energy through the world. A carbon tax of US$6 per tonne of coal production underlines the political consensus on climate action in India. We are creating additional carbon sinks of 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon equivalent by increasing our green cover. In such actions that safeguard the future of our children and the world they will inherit, we look to Canada as a kindred spirit.

We look to Canada as a kindred spirit

Although the case for a wider and deeper Indo-Canadian partnership is obvious, making it happen will still require work on both sides. Given our complementarities, there is scope for leveraging everything from natural to human resources. There are three major areas that constitute a focused agenda for collaboration.

First, education and mobility: Fostering an environment that enables Indian talent to be available, and to be equipped to be available, for global use. For decades, Canada has been a welcoming destination for Indians and has offered a home to its 1.8 million-strong Indian community. They have fully integrated and brought fresh vigour to their adopted country, contributing to Canadian life in every field, from politics to commerce, from the academics to the arts.

This living bridge is reinforced and enriched each passing year. Post-secondary enrolment by Indian students in Canada grew over 150 per cent between 2014 and 2019, bringing in almost $7 billion in tuition fees alone to colleges and universities here. More than mere monetary value, the shared social capital this talent pool represents is an asset worth nurturing. Canada is the second most attractive global destination for Indian students, 176,000 of whom represent the best of what our systems have to offer and each of whom is a brand ambassador for India and Canada in his or her own right.
Participants celebrate at the India Day Festival and Grand Parade in Toronto on Aug. 19, 2018. Ernest Doroszuk/Postmedia News

Second, business and economics: The Indian economy is not just growing but fundamentally transforming. It is an exciting laboratory of digital infrastructure, technology adoption and innovation, and is on its way to becoming a US$5-trillion economy in the near future. It offers a great return on investment and Canadian funds are discovering that it is a safe bet. There are three major initiatives underway in India of interest to Canadians — Make in India, Skill India and Start-up India. Canada, of course, has its own creativity and innovation strengths. How we tap into such complementarities effectively is a question that needs an early answer.

Bilateral trade is expanding, and while still well below potential, has risen 33 per cent since 2014 to reach $8.5 billion. Canada has large reserves of hydrocarbons and when Canadians, at their own pace and in line with their own priorities, develop these resources, they could serve to enhance India’s energy security. India and Canada have been co-operating in the field of civil nuclear energy. The commencement of concentrated uranium ore exports to India in 2015 was a milestone. Going forward, this will be significant in enabling us to diversify from thermal energy sources.

India and Canada need to bring their shared ideals and principles to conversations on global platforms

Third, working together in the global arena: To ensure that the world is more secure, the planet is more sustainable and that our values are fully reflected in the workings of the international system, India and Canada need to bring their shared ideals and principles to conversations on global platforms. These range from conversations on terrorism and climate change to nurturing transparent principles and protocols whether in trade, investment or technology appropriate for the fourth industrial age.

The future beckons us. We must display the commitment and energy to shape it together.

By: Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is India’s Minister of External Affairs. He served as that country’s Foreign Secretary from 2015-18, and previously served as India’s ambassador to the United States (2013-15), China (2009-2013), and Czech Republic (2000-2004), as well as serving as High Commissioner to Singapore (2007-2009). His government career has also included diplomatic assignments in embassies in Moscow, Colombo, Budapest and Tokyo. He arrives in Ottawa for an official visit on Thursday, Dec. 19, and will be in Toronto on Dec. 20.

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Source: NP

Image Courtesy: Deccan Herald

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