The move by the government of Canada to publicly accuse the Indian government of killing one of its citizens on Canadian soil and its attempts to create diplomatic pressure to ensure India cooperates on the issue has brought many things into sharp focus. And provides India an opportunity to reassess its strategic interests and alternatives.
Western Bullying
The West with its economic and security apparatus G7 and Five Eyes is a known example of strategic and common interests coming together to coerce or bully a non-compliant country into submission. Canada has ‘appealed’ to these forums to close ranks on the India issue. And initial indications are that they are playing ball.
The clear and open admission that separatist forces inimical to India’s existence have a free run in Canada (under a perverse ‘freedom to express politically’ garb) does draw close attention to the hypocrisy and the absolute disregard towards the interests of other countries. In this case, India, the world’s largest democracy, which over the years has found democratic methods to address several secessionist movements in its territory. By harbouring forces that constantly foster hate towards India and Indians, Canada is putting India at risk. Any self-respecting country would see this as completely unacceptable.
Political Stunt?
It could be argued that the Canadian PM is facing a tough time on the political front. He recently barely survived a no-confidence vote and his coalition partners are threatening to pull out, leaving his government vulnerable and weak. There are suggestions that his public moves against India are meant to galvanize public opinion in his favour. Suggesting a ‘foreign hand’ and galvanising the public to win votes is an age-old trick. Politicians across geographies have used this ploy to gain sympathy and support at critical times. But the manner and method used by the Trudeau team in accusing India publicly is certainly unprecedented and distasteful.
Malicious Intent
In a world that’s reeling under extremism and violence stemming from that, where governments are cooperating with each other to ensure their soil is not used to foster hatred and violence, the Canadian zeal in projecting Indian authorities as the villain and publicly accusing them seems a crass and motivated attempt to sully India’s reputation as a responsible democracy. By standing on the side of separatist forces, Canada has seemingly revealed it has a duplicitous and malicious intent against India’s national interests.
The China Factor
Ever since 1991, the end of the Cold War, India has seemingly drifted Westwards. A belligerent China on Indian borders has perhaps accelerated this move. China is fast becoming the power that holds the potential to challenge the supremacy of the West. And by stating an intent to create what they say is the China of old (which now includes parts of Indian territory) it has forced India’s hand to get closer to the West.
Of course, the Indian democratic system resonates more deeply and has convergence with Western democracies. In that sense, it’s natural for India to find common ground with the West. And with its burgeoning economy, the West has seen India as an attractive market place for its goods and probably a counter weight to China. And India too sees access to Western markets as its route to economic growth and prosperity.
It could be argued that the West in its effort to make India ‘belong’ has involved it in significant global blocs. The Quad, G20, all courtesy the Western interests, are pulling India Westwards.
Bid To Rein India In?
So the moot question is: why this brouhaha in Canada ? And partly in the U.S.? And why now?
Why give oxygen to a separatist force that virtually has no takers in India itself? Why support its members’ aggressive actions openly in the west?
Has India’s relationship with Russia ruffled feathers? Is India being seen as a country that needs to be managed just like China? India’s position of not taking sides is being seen as convenient and not ‘enough commitment’ to the new developing relationship with the West? Or is India’s open and clear stating in western forums of its positions seen as brazen or one causing discomfort?
Whatever the reasons are, it’s clear the West seems to be using this issue to ‘rein in’ India. So what are the implications of this? What are the geostrategic opportunities and alternatives for India based on these developments?
Time For A Relook?
India must draw its own red lines. Its strategic friendship with the West cannot be at the cost of compromising its sovereignty. There is no argument (democracy, free speech or any such) that can justify giving ready platforms in the west to secessionist forces that are anti-India.
In the medium to long term, India must foster closer interest-based ties with countries such as Russia, China, countries in West Asia, and even leading countries in Africa, all of whom have‘ suffered’ from the coercion and bullying of the G7 and Five Eyes. Maybe this Canadian action is the real eye-opener needed for Indian foreign policy mandarins who must now find sustainable relationships based on respect and equity. The tech that the Five Eyes have and the economic weight of the G7 needs to be counter-balanced. Today, more than ever before, the East-West (geography) and the North-South (economic) schisms are widening. India should take leadership and drive the agenda of the East and the South. ANd at the same time, BRICS as an alliance should be further empowered to ensure this.
Multi-pronged Approach Needed
A state has to protect its people and itself. So waging a global diplomatic effort to highlight Canada’s harbouring of separatist forces must happen. Again India must actively seek the support of China and Russia (both of who have suffered from the same forces). No stone should be left unturned to address this. India and its friends must impose economic sanctions on Canada—and create public opinion within the region on the inimical nature of the country. Collective multilateral muscles are the need of the hour.
There’s a need to wage a strong communications campaign to highlight the many forces, given complicit support in the West. Also to unearth and unmask individuals, organisations and the people supporting. The world should know and see the hypocrisy of the west in all its gory grime.
Time For India-China-Russia Leadership?
The one thing the West and the North know is that India, Russia and China working closely together will be a significant geopolitical challenge. Maybe this is the right time to either expedite a border solution with China or for India to work on the two issues side by side.
Indeed, an India-China-Russia leadership might be essential for stability and geopolitical balance in a multipolar world.
Can this Canadian game be the stimulus needed for India to take the plunge and recognise its natural allies—the East and the South?
Our Western friends must realise that giving space and succor to anti-India secessionist forces in their countries will cause widespread anger and resentment in India. And make it very difficult for political leaders to foster closer ties with the West, even though there are compelling reasons to do so.
Canada may soon find it has bitten off far more than it can chew!
The rest of the West needs to really think how far it wants to go to isolate India. And at what point does that make India turn due East.
(Santosh Menon is an Indian businessman living in Sri Lanka. He is a keen observer of politics and economics, and can be reached at santoshmenon3@gmail.com. Views expressed in this article are personal.)
