By Praveen Verma
Prime Minister Trudeau’s visit to India has been all over the news, but for the wrong reasons. This was a much anticipated visit as a follow up of PM Modi’s visit to Canada in 2015. Trudeau has been back in Canada on 24th of February but the controversies regarding his visit still rage in Parliament, media and the people.
It is unfortunate that amidst all this cacophony of adverse media coverage, PM’s wardrobe, and the conspiracy theory regarding invitation to Atwal, the positive results of the visit has been lost. I will like to highlight the gains of this important bilateral visit before going into the controversies.
PM’s delegation included important Ministers in the Canadian Government and accompanied by a large business delegation. Important business level meetings were held both in Mumbai as well as in Delhi. PM met President of India as well as other Ministers in the Indian Cabinet. Both the Prime Ministers met on a bilateral agenda.
Five MOUs were signed during this visit. They include Declaration of intent on Cooperation in Field of Information communications Technology and electronics, Energy Dialogue, Sports, Cooperation on intellectual Property Rights and Cooperation in Higher Education.
An important agreement on Framework for Cooperation between India and Canada on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism was signed. Under the Framework, the ongoing collaboration between the law enforcement and security agencies was reviewed and bilateral supervision was set up under the National Security Advisors and the Joint Working Group. This is an important step towards elimination of threats emanating from terrorist groups such as Al Qaida, ISIS, the Haqqani network, LeT, JeM, Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation.
On the business and commercial side the delegations had fruitful discussions both in Mumbai and in Delhi. PM Trudeau met a number of leading Indian industrialists, women entrepreneurs as well as personalities in entertainment field and Bollywood. PM Trudeau was pleased to announce new commercial partnerships with India and discussed new opportunities to cooperate in global economy and promote women’s economic empowerment. He also announced agreement on investment of more than $1 billion on both sides. The Indian investment of $250 million will provide more than 5800 jobs in Canada.
Both sides agreed to intensify negotiation to finalise the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Bilateral Foreign Investment Promotion and Investment Agreement (BIPPA). While all these good things happened towards the latter part of the visit, adverse media coverage started right at the beginning of the visit. Modi did not personally receive Trudeau at the airport became a major issue with the media and was portrayed as a snub by the Indian PM. Despite India’s position that all Protocol norms of a Minister receiving a dignitary were followed, the perception lingered.
The following days saw Trudeau visiting Golden Temple, Akshardham temple, Taj Mahal, and Bollywood. He and his family were seen in colourful Indian costumes, dancing and enjoying their cultural Immersion. Media came down heavily on what they saw as Trudeau enjoying a paid vacation in India. Surprisingly Trudeau’s Indian colourful dresses also faced adverse social media comments.
The major embarrassment during the visit was invitation to Jaspal Atwal, a man convicted of attempted murder in Canada and member of Sikh separatist movement to High Commission’s dinner in honour of the delegation. Atwal had also attended the Delegation’s functions in Mumbai and was photographed with a Minister and with Trudeau’s wife.
The mistake was discovered and the invitation was cancelled. The Accompanying Liberal MP who recommended the invitation to the High Commissioner accepted his ‘poor judgement’ and took the responsibility. Then a conspiracy theory emerged through unidentified sources, blaming a faction of Indian Government for the presence of Atwal to embarrass the Canadian Government. The Government of India has emphatically denied any role in the presence and invitation to Atwal at the Canadian High Commissioner’s functions both in Mumbai and Delhi. Trudeau however continues to defend the sources which allege that Indian Government factions were responsible for Atwal’s presence. This is despite his own MP’s admission of his bad judgement to invite Atwal.
The negatives have completely taken over the positive achievements of the visit which is unfortunate. Both sides need to start moving ahead with the positives. There is much to gain from what has been achieved during the visit. Modi has accepted Trudeau’s invitation to come to Canada. We are waiting to welcome him soon.
Ambassador Praveen Verma served for over 30 years as an Indian Foreign Service officer. He retired as an Ambassador. He is settled in Toronto with wife Deepmala and two daughters.
Pic: (AP/Manish Swarup)