Power & Politics Weekly Wrap: Is India a threat? Would Canada care?
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Feb 28, 2026 Laura D'Angelo, former adviser to Justin Trudeau, offers inside view on balancing trade and security. Zain Velji, political strategist from Alberta, analyzes electoral risks and diaspora backlash. They discuss India trip controversy, trade versus security tensions, political costs at home, and urgent AI regulation debates.
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Trade Diversification Comes With Security Tradeoffs
- The Liberals are urgently pursuing trade diversification while juggling security concerns with countries like India.
- Laura D'Angelo says the prime minister must balance trade talks with explicit safety and values conversations to make deals reciprocal.
Diaspora Politics Could Penalize Trade Moves
- Pursuing a deal with India risks domestic political fallout in key ridings with mixed diaspora loyalties.
- Zain Velji warns Brampton, Surrey and Mississauga contain both Punjabi communities and Hindu nationalists, complicating electoral consequences.
Rebuilding Relations Is A Pragmatic Necessity
- Repairing relations with large democracies like India is framed as necessary despite past tensions.
- Michael Solberg argues Justin Trudeau damaged ties and Canada must pragmatically rebuild trade links, similar to deals with China.