VANCOUVER – Amid fresh, but so far denied, allegations of Indian political interference in Canada’s 2022 Conservative Party leadership race, a new public opinion poll indicates a significant decline in Canadian views towards the sub-continental superpower.
The poll, from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute (ARI), in partnership with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, a majority (52 per cent) of people in this country told ARI 20 months ago that Ottawa should approach New Delhi either as a valued partner and ally or on friendly terms.
But recently, that sentiment has dropped by half to just 24%.
Further, favourable views of India have plummeted from a high of 56% in January 2020 to 26% today. The inverse negative view has more than doubled.
These data also reveal India is now only seen more favourably by Canadians than Russia and China, while trust in New Delhi sits at less than one-third (28%).
There is less consensus over how Canada is perceived to be handling the relationship, although a plurality are inclined to say Ottawa isn’t managing it well (39%) compared to one-third (32%) who say the opposite and almost the same number (29%) who say they aren’t sure.
A significant political tension colours these perceptions.
Those who say they would vote for the Liberal Party of Canada in the next election are most complimentary of the Trudeau government’s performance on this file, while professed Conservative supporters say the current government is mishandling the situation.
The froideur between the two nations shows little sign of warming in the short term.
The belief among 39% in Canada is things will not improve until Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is no longer in office, while 34% say the same of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
That said, two-thirds (64%) of Canadians say this country should at minimum, “cautiously” attempt to re-open trade negotiations on a free trade agreement with India, a finding slightly boosted by threats from incoming U.S. President Donald Trump of blanket 25% tariffs on Canadian exports.
The proportion of Canadians who want increased trade ties with India has halved from one-in-five (18%) in 2014 to 8% now.
Among Canada’s top 10 trading partners, only China (76%) and India (66%) are selected by a majority of Canadians as not “strictly upholding the rule of law or respecting human rights.”
Two-thirds (66%) say Canada should “stand up for what it believes is right” with India even if it means a further deterioration of the relationship.
