At current, solely 4 nations – the US, United Kingdom, Russia and France – have the aptitude to fabricate jet engines, with China nonetheless missing this superior know-how. The GE F-414 collaboration is meant to strengthen US-India defence cooperation and enhance their collective means to counter China’s developments in defence know-how.
India additionally performs a central function in Canada’s Indo-Pacific technique, unveiled in 2022. Within the official doc outlining the technique, Ottawa described China as a “disruptive energy” and emphasised the necessity to strengthen ties with Indo-Pacific nations, notably India.
The technique highlights “India’s rising strategic, financial, and demographic significance” as key to attaining Canada’s geostrategic goals. As a part of this strategy, Canada dedicated to negotiating a Complete Financial Partnership Settlement with India. However as a result of diplomatic tensions sparked by Canada’s allegations, these negotiations have been suspended.
THE WEST’S DISAPPROVAL
The Modi authorities might have calculated that India’s strategic worth to the West would defend it from criticism over its dealing with of pro-Khalistan activists overseas. Nevertheless, the unequivocal response from each the US and Canada suggests in any other case, with the West making it clear that such actions are unacceptable, no matter India’s strategic significance.
India will in all probability proceed to disclaim Canada’s accusations and additional sever diplomatic ties in an everlasting dispute that can have an effect on all features of the bilateral relationship.
From Canada’s perspective, Indian actions on Canadian soil symbolize a blatant violation of sovereignty. Ottawa expects cooperation and assurances from India that such transnational repression is not going to happen sooner or later. From India’s perspective, it’s a matter of nationwide safety challenge as Canada appeases pro-Khalistan components.
Whereas the Indian diaspora has usually been an asset for the Modi authorities in fostering relations with western nations, the Sikh diaspora in Canada has been a major hurdle in bettering ties.
With out a frequent denominator to reconcile these differing views, the connection between the 2 nations is prone to stay strained, regardless of broader strategic components that might in any other case encourage nearer ties.
Saira Bano is Assistant Professor in Political Science at Thompson Rivers College. This commentary first appeared on The Dialog.
