Canadian Foreign Policy
Uploaded by d_sovereign on Apr 13, 2013
In an increasingly globalized world foreign policy has become an integral part of any nation and its international status. Canada is no different, we have long enjoyed a secure role as the United States sidekick and we should continue in endeavours which are mutually beneficial, but the world is changing. Canada needs to start directing its gaze outward. The rise of Asian nations like China and India provide opportunities beyond North America, while the melting polar ice caps are changing how the world views the Arctic. Canada has valued interests in both. The following is a policy analysis of the Global Positioning Strategy Open Canada document.
It is suggested that Canada actively pursue relations with India through education and the rebirth of a Uranium trade agreement, a relationship which has all but disappeared in recent history. Canada should also seek to work closer with China, whose mass industrialization requires greater energy resources which Canada can provide. Furthermore our governments should work together in providing the growing Chinese population with Canadian inspired social services. Lastly Canada should take on a stewardship role in the Arctic council; working multilaterally with Arctic states, while simultaneously securing our own interests regarding the Northwest Passage and emerging natural resources. The Open Canada document provides an excellent frame work for future Canadian foreign policy; this paper will identify and analyze in detail issues of upmost importance to both Canada, and world interests.
India
"This South Asian tiger indeed has awoken, and the world is standing in awe” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Like Canada, India is liberal, open democracy with a parliamentary government. Both nations actively pursue anti-terrorism and human rights agendas through the United Nations and have large, knowledge based, science and technology sectors of their economy. However despite the many similarities Canada-India relations have all but disappeared since 1974, when India conducted a ‘peaceful nuclear explosion’, violating the terms of a Canadian Uranium trade agreement.
Canada would do well to think less about the past and our differences and more about the far outweighing similarities. The rise of India’s economy, the opportunities therein and how to mend the broken...