Canadian-Indian Relations.

• Author: Jones, David T.
• Position: Brief article

The bland 400-plus-word statement by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was as noteworthy for what it omitted as for what it described. Venturing past the platitudes on mutual friendship, democracy, and shared multilingual/multiethnic diversity (there are over a million Indian-Canadians), Harper noted expectations for a "Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement." A "Joint Study Group" will be taking up the cudgels in this regard. Harper also noted agreement to "increase cooperation in such fields as clean and renewable energy, oil and gas exploration, power generation and research and development." But unmentioned was the elephant in the room: nuclear energy and Canada's abiding irritation over the Indians having snookered them on safeguards for their Candu nuclear reactor. This duplicity permitted India to develop a nuclear weapon in 1974. Reportedly, an agreement to revive nuclear technology exchange for...