What to Read in Indian Express Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1 : The Damage Trudeau Did

Context: How Canada can undo Justin Trudeau’s damage to bilateral ties with India?

 

Introduction: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau resigned from his office. He was under enormous pressure, including from within his own party. His tenure saw deterioration of India-Canada relations. With Trudeau out of power, improving the ties should be on agenda for both India and Canada.

 

Trudeau's Resignation and Political Context

• Reason for Resignation: Internal party pressure, a paralyzed parliament, declining popularity due to a weakening economy, and public dissatisfaction with immigration policies weakened Trudeau’s position.
• US Pressure under Donald Trump
  1. Trump’s threat of 25% tariffs on Canadian exports if immigration and drug flows were not curbed increased Trudeau’s challenges.
  2. Trump’s dismissive remark, calling Trudeau the “Governor of the Great State of Canada,” highlighted the strained relationship and Trudeau’s diminishing credibility.

 

Challenges Facing Trudeau’s Successor

• Political Landscape
  1. The successor will face an uphill battle against a strong Conservative opposition.
  2. Calls for an early election will further intensify political pressures.
• Focus on Domestic Issues
  1. Economic challenges, immigration policies, and Trump’s pressures will dominate the successor’s agenda.
  2. Foreign relations, including ties with India, are likely to take a backseat.

 

India-Canada Relations Under Trudeau

• Diplomatic and Political Immaturity
  1. Trudeau’s handling of the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar was diplomatically flawed.
  2. His statement in Parliament alleging Indian involvement in the killing, based on “intelligence” rather than “hard evidence,” led to a steep deterioration in bilateral ties.
• Canada's Response to India's Concerns
  1. When India requested evidence regarding the allegations, Canada refused to provide it, further straining relations.
  2. Canada’s actions, including reducing its diplomatic presence in India, were seen as pandering to domestic audiences, particularly supporters of Khalistan.
• Khalistani Issue
  1. Trudeau ignored Indian complaints regarding Khalistani activities in Canada, citing freedom of expression.
  2. This justification extended even to the glorification of the assassins of Indira Gandhi, angering India.

 

Key Diplomatic Incidents and Developments

• Expulsion of Diplomats
  1. In October 2023, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats and accused them of involvement in a targeted campaign against Canadian citizens.
  2. India rejected these allegations, expelled six Canadian diplomats in return, and denied any wrongdoing.
• Allegations Against Indian Officials
  1. Canada designated Indian diplomats, including the High Commissioner, as persons of interest in the Nijjar case.
  2. India rejected Canada’s demand to remove diplomatic immunities for questioning.
• Impact on Bilateral Ties
  1. Accusations by a senior Canadian official that Indian Home Minister Amit Shah was behind anti-Khalistani activities further damaged relations.
  2. Arrests of four Indians by Canadian authorities in connection with the Nijjar case added to the tensions, though no trials have occurred.

 

Historical and Broader Context of India-Canada Relations

• Canada’s handling of the Kanishka bombing embittered India; its latitude to Khalistanis has angered it.
• Canadian intrusiveness on visas has continuously irked India.

 

Outlook and Implications for India

• India’s Stance
  1. India remains dissatisfied with Canada’s approach under Trudeau and hopes for more mature leadership from his successor.
  2. However, Canada’s domestic challenges and focus on internal issues mean that India may not become a priority.
• Continuing Issues
  1. Without legislative changes in Canada, issues such as Khalistani activities and the glorification of politically motivated assassinations are unlikely to be resolved.
  2. Bilateral ties will remain fragile unless Canada takes tangible steps to address India’s concerns.

 

Conclusion and Way Forward

• Despite the presence of a large Indian diaspora in Canada, bilateral ties have not been a priority for India.
• India will now look to Trudeau’s successors to undo the damage he has done.
  1. The problem is that India will not be a priority as they address their domestic issues and handle Trump.

India will continue to monitor developments, but a significant improvement in relations will require both sides to address long-standing grievances and adopt a more pragmatic approach.

Editorial 2 : Atomic Power Equations

Context: India, US and the atomic second wind

 

Introduction: US NSA Jake Sullivan’s Visit to India

• Jake Sullivan’s visit to India marks the culmination of his tenure as the US National Security Advisor under President Joe Biden.
• The visit highlights:
  1. Biden administration's commitment to strengthening the India-US strategic partnership.
  2. The focus on advanced technology cooperation.
  3. The goal of ensuring continuity in bilateral relations as political transitions occur.

 

India-US Advanced Technology Collaboration: Key Features

• Commitment to Deepening Ties
  1. The Biden administration has been instrumental in elevating the India-US partnership to new heights.
  2. Efforts were made to mitigate unanticipated crises that could derail the strategic relationship.
• Focus on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET)
  1. Launch of iCET: Initiated in January 2023 by Jake Sullivan and Indian NSA Ajit Doval.
  2. Areas of Collaboration: AI, semiconductors, space, and biotechnology. These sectors will dominate the global economy.
• Significance of iCET
  1. Facilitates techno-industrial collaboration beyond government-to-government engagement.
  2. Aims to "derisk" the global economy from excessive dependence on China.
  3. Contributes to a regional balance of power in the Indo-Pacific to counter Chinese dominance.
• Policy Instruments
  1. Integration of industry, startups, and research communities in the bilateral partnership.
  2. Sullivan’s announcement of lifting restrictions on civilian space cooperation and efforts to remove key atomic energy centres in India from the US blacklist underscores the intent to resolve lingering issues.

 

History of India-US Technology Cooperation

• Early Decades of Collaboration
  1. The US played a crucial role in the development of India’s nuclear, space, and agricultural sectors.
  2. Contributed significantly to India’s scientific and technological education.
• Challenges in the 1970s and Beyond
  1. The imposition of non-proliferation laws and sanctions disrupted bilateral cooperation.
  2. India became a target of global non-proliferation controls, leading to a freeze in technological ties.
• Revival in 1990s and 2000s
  1. Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sought common ground with the US despite challenges.
  2. A major breakthrough came with the India-US civil nuclear deal negotiated during the Bush-Manmohan era (2005-08).
  3. Subsequent administrations of Obama, Trump, and Biden continued to build on this foundation.

 

Lingering Issues

• Nuclear Energy Challenges
  1. Despite the nuclear deal, no international suppliers other than Russia have invested in building nuclear power plants in India.
  2. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 remains a key obstacle for US and Indian companies investing in the nuclear energy sector.
• AI and Nuclear Energy Demand
  1. AI-driven data centres require massive amounts of clean energy, creating renewed interest in nuclear power.
  2. India must reform its regulatory environment to accelerate nuclear energy development and meet future energy demands.

 

Geoeconomic and Geopolitical Implications

• Biden’s Legacy
  1. Laid a robust foundation for India-US techno-industrial collaboration based on shared geoeconomic and geopolitical goals.
  2. Aimed to maintain US technological leadership and reduce dependence on China.
• Continuity under Trump
  1. Trump shares Biden’s goals of reclaiming US technological leadership and reviving advanced manufacturing.
  2. The enduring competition with China is likely to drive deeper cooperation with trusted partners like India.

 

Challenges and Way Forward

• Sustaining Cooperation
  1. Diplomatic and political efforts must continue to sustain high-tech collaboration.
  2. Transitions in leadership (e.g., Trump’s incoming administration and Michael Waltz as NSA) may bring new approaches to technology development.
• Potential Changes under Trump
  1. Trump’s policies could differ in terms of domestic technology development and international collaboration.
  2. India must be prepared to adapt to these changes and navigate the potential consequences.

 

Conclusion

Sullivan’s consultations with the Indian leadership this week are part of the ongoing effort to facilitate a smooth transition on advanced technological cooperation between the two countries. Trump, however, might bring a different approach to advanced technology development in America and India must be prepared to deal with the consequences.