The Big Story Trade vs. security: Canada’s complex relationship with India
Mar 10, 2026
Amarnath Amarasingam, an associate professor at Queen's who studies transnational repression and diaspora politics. He discusses intelligence roles and warnings about threats to diaspora communities. He explores the tension between expanding trade with India and managing security concerns. He traces historical roots of Canada–India strains and weighs whether engagement can coexist with protecting rights and safety.
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How Canadian Security Agencies Inform Policy
- CSIS and RCMP compile signals, open-source data and community reports to map threat landscapes for policymakers.
- Amarnath Amarasingam explains agencies advise politicians but do not make policy, informing decisions on countries like India, China and Russia.
Political Messaging Versus Intelligence Reality
- Political messaging can diverge from intelligence assessments when leaders balance security concerns with economic goals.
- Amarasingam notes Mark Carney's careful language likely aimed to protect trade rebuilding despite ongoing diaspora threats.
Historical Roots Of Current Tensions
- Longstanding diaspora anxieties date back decades, tied to incidents like the Air India bombing and controversies such as Jaspal Atwal's appearance.
- Amarasingam cites a 1984 Toronto Star note and historical tensions shaping India's complaints about Canada's "soft" stance.