An Indian pivot toward the U.S. and Canada

Guest Commentary
By Stewart Beck

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was a keynote speaker at Vibrant Gujarat recently, and U.S. President Barack Obama was Chief Guest at India's Republic Day ceremonies last week. My, how the tides have changed in the India-U.S. relationship! It seems like just yesterday that animosity between the two countries reached a peak with the Kobragade affair. Of course, there are larger issues at play, including U.S. support for Pakistan and India's relationship with Russia. But 2015 is off to a good start for the two countries.
The Canada-India relationship also recently turned a positive corner after being characterized for many years by distrust following India exploding a nuclear device using Canadian uranium and technology in 1974 and a perceived inadequate response by Canada to the downing of Air India 182 in 1985. Strong evidence of the new positive era in the Canada-India bilateral relationship is the entry into force of the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement and recent visits to India of Canada's Prime Minister and Governor General.
India's new Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has set the course for improved relations with the U.S. and Canada. But some of the credit for the improving tone in U.S.-India and Canada-India relations must be attributed to the Indian diaspora that has become part of the two countries' fabrics. The diaspora's financial, professional and political success, especially the Gujarati diaspora, makes it a powerful force in Canada and U.S. foreign policy considerations, which are hugely influenced by US and Canadian prosperity agendas.
The highly entrepreneurial Indian diaspora in Silicon Valley has established its influence on the political dynamic in California, and the same is true for the New York and New Jersey diasporas at the U.S. national level. In Canada, the Canada-India Foundation and the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce are two organizations that have done much to change the political and strategic thinking towards India. The influence of the diaspora in both countries has helped reduce geostrategic tensions and paved the way forward for a more constructive dialogue on key economic and security issues.
The improved atmospherics and this Indian pivot towards the US and Canada are vital to Mr Modi's plans for India's economic prosperity. A more trusting relationship is critical to attract and keep foreign direct investment in India, be it Canadian pension fund investment in real estate and infrastructure or investment by U.S. multinationals in the burgeoning Indian domestic economy. (Needless to say, India settling its concerns around foreign investment protection agreements will go a long way to improving the investment environment, as well.)
Reduced tensions will also pave the way for a more robust defence relationship with the U.S., a return to a strong and complementary nuclear relationship with Canada, and, perhaps, a common security and intelligence sharing approach to counterterrorism on the part of all three countries.
The successful visit of Mr Modi to the United States last September has launched a new era for India's diplomatic relations with Canada's southern neighbour, and his upcoming visit to Canada is an important signal that India is making a much-welcomed pivot toward the northern part of North America. Hats off to Indian diaspora diplomacy.

Stewart Beck is the President of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and former Canadian High Commissioner to India.

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