Key Takeaways:
- A survey revealed a decline in favorable views of India in Canada, dropping from 44% in March 2023 to 33%.
- Diplomatic tensions, especially concerning Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s assassination, have exacerbated Canada’s unfavorable perceptions of India.
- Rising anti-immigration sentiment and media negativity further contribute to the declining perception of India among Canadians.
How Has the Perception of India in Canada Changed Over the Past Year?
In the past year, there has been a significant shift in how Canadians view India. According to a survey by the Angus Reid Institute (ARI), the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar and accusations of foreign interference have considerably lowered India’s favorability in Canada.
What Does the Survey Say?
A recent survey conducted by ARI indicates a sharp decline in positive perceptions of India among Canadians.
Key findings include:
- Only 33% of Canadians view India favorably as of now, compared to 44% in March 2023.
- 54% of Canadians currently hold an unfavorable view of India.
- In 2019, the favorability rating for India was 56%.
How Do Diplomatic Tensions Affect Public Opinion?
Diplomatic issues like the Nijjar killing have reportedly exacerbated already strained relations between Canada and India. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusations that the Indian government played a role in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh activist, have further fueled these tensions.
The ARI survey elaborates, “Though Trudeau says Canada supports a ‘united India’, the presence of Sikh separatists in Canada has been a source of tension between India and Canada. Trudeau’s accusation that the Indian government was involved in the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar only exacerbated the strained relationship.”
Is Anti-Immigration Sentiment Also Influencing Canada’s View of India?
Rising anti-immigration sentiment in Canada appears to be another significant factor contributing to the declining perception of India. India is the largest source of migrants to Canada, making Indians the most visible group in this context.
Political commentator Darshan Maharaja noted, “While it is tempting to attribute this to the worsened bilateral relations between India and Canada, I think this factor plays a comparatively smaller role. For more than seven or eight months, there has been a lot of reporting on the issues of international students/temporary foreign workers and Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). All these areas have been shown to be rife with corruption and malpractice.”
What Role Do Media and Social Media Play?
The view of India is further impacted by social media and news coverage. Negative posts and comments related to Indians and Indian-origin Canadians are becoming more frequent. Examples include comments like, “Since Trudeau invited one million Indian ‘international students’ over, Toronto and Brampton are no longer part of Canada.” and videos tagged with descriptions like “Another night in Little India.”
How Does Canada’s View on Foreign Interference Compare Globally?
The Angus Reid Institute’s findings also align with broader concerns about foreign interference from countries like China and Russia. In its 2019 review, the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) stated, “The most significant perpetrators of foreign interference in Canada were the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation.”
What Is India’s Response to Allegations of Interference?
India has strongly denied these allegations. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We strongly reject all such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections. It is not the government of India’s policy to interfere in the democratic processes of other countries. In fact, quite on the reverse, it is Canada which has been interfering in our internal affairs.”
How Do Canadians View Other Countries?
The changing perception of India is part of a broader trend where Canadians are viewing certain countries more negatively. For instance:
- 79% of Canadians have an unfavorable view of China.
- Negative favorability is also high for Russia and Iran.
- Countries like the United Kingdom and France maintain more favorable views among Canadians, ahead of trade partners like Mexico and the United States.
Is There a Way to Improve India-Canada Relations?
Addressing the root causes of anti-immigration sentiment and clarifying diplomatic misunderstandings can potentially improve relations. Initiatives could include:
- Combatting Misconceptions About Immigration: Clear and transparent communication regarding the actual impacts of immigration and debunking myths about International students and workers.
- Diplomatic Engagements: Both nations should continue diplomatic dialogues to resolve misunderstandings and enhance mutual trust.
- Public Education Campaigns: Promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity to reduce social media negativity and promote better understanding of Indo-Canadian communities.
Where Can You Find More Information on Immigration Policies?
For those interested in understanding more about Canada’s immigration policies and how they intersect with public perception and international relations, visit the official Canada Immigration and Citizenship website.
By understanding these complexities and fostering positive dialogues, it may be possible to shift public perception and improve the relationship between India and Canada.
Learn Today:
Glossary of Terms
1. Pro-Khalistan Figure:
A person who advocates for the creation of an independent Sikh state, known as Khalistan, separate from India.
2. Foreign Interference:
Actions by a country to affect another country’s political, economic, or social processes, often covertly, to gain an advantage.
3. Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA):
A document Canadian employers may need to obtain before hiring a foreign worker, which assesses the impact of hiring the foreign worker on the Canadian job market.
4. National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP):
A committee in Canada that reviews and reports on national security and intelligence activities to ensure they align with Canadian law and values.
5. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA):
The government ministry responsible for managing a country’s external affairs, including diplomatic relations, foreign policy, and international agreements. In this context, it pertains to India.
This Article In A Nutshell:
In the past year, Canadians’ perception of India has shifted significantly, largely due to political tensions and foreign interference accusations surrounding the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. A recent ARI survey shows only 33% of Canadians now view India favorably, compared to 44% in March 2023.
— By VisaVerge.com
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