New Delhi: Canada has been making negative headlines in India lately, prompting some to suggest that it has become the new Pakistan for India, as many hostile activities affecting India seem to originate from Canada. The relationship between India and Canada has deteriorated significantly, arguably worse than India-Pakistan ties, especially given that India and Pakistan still have some back-channel communications.
Recent incidents, including one at a temple in Brampton, alongside arrests and comments from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlight the tension.
The real issue lies within Canada itself: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government is facing elections likely after February, relying on support from Jagmeet Singh’s New Democratic Party to maintain power. This dependency stems from concerns about MPs securing their pensions, a common political issue everywhere. The Trudeau government’s popularity has plummeted, losing its moral authority, or what some might refer to as its “Iqbal”.
The primary reasons for this unpopularity include rising joblessness, inflation, a housing crisis and strained public services, compounded by the import of various conflicts. Increasingly, Canada’s immigration policy became exclusionary. Yet, it was quite liberal compared to many other countries. Commentators have noted that Trudeau’s policies seem to have brought external “tribal feuds” into Canada, raising questions about the need for such an approach.
Hence, Canada which has, for decades, prided itself on welcoming newcomers—with its multiculturalism—and immigration policies aimed at boosting population and addressing labour shortages, now plans significant cuts to immigration in response to rising public concerns about social services, housing affordability and living costs.
In Episode 1547 of #CutTheClutter, Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta looks at a detailed analysis of Canada’s current politics, what’s behind Trudeau’s immigration cuts and its impact on India.
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