Canada’s Army Chief to attend IPACC in New Delhi amid diplomatic showdown with India

In a surprising turn of events, Canada’s Army Chief, accompanied by his delegation, is set to attend the Indo-Pacific Armies Chief Conference (IPACC) in New Delhi, next week. This announcement comes amidst a diplomatic dispute between India and Canada over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's absurd accusations implicating the Indian Government in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist.

Major General Abhinaya Rai, Additional Director General (Strategic Planning), confirmed the visit, underscoring the Indian Armed Forces' dedication to fostering regional stability. The three-day IPACC, scheduled from September 25 to 27, is themed 'Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace & Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region' and will bring together top military officials to discuss shared security interests in the region.

Bilateral Defence ties to flourish amidst diplomatic hurdles?

According to Colonel (Retd) D.R. Semwal, the Canadian Army Chief's decision to attend IPACC demonstrates a willingness to engage constructively, despite recent tensions stemming from Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations. Meanwhile, Major General Rai downplayed the diplomatic spat, stating, "It doesn't impact us (the Indian Army). The Canadian chief is coming here. His delegation is coming here."

During his address at the curtain raiser for IPACC, Major General Rai also cited India's multi-faceted diplomatic approach, drawing a parallel with China, and highlighting the importance of continued engagement even in the face of disputes. "Our diplomatic efforts as well as the military efforts with Canada continue to be there," he affirmed.

‘Together for Peace : Sustaining Peace & Stability in the Indo - Pacific Region’#IndianArmy & #USArmy are co-hosting a three-day conference of Indo - Pacific Chiefs of Armies and delegates from 35 countries in #NewDelhi wef 25 to 27 Sep 2023. The conference will provide an… pic.twitter.com/JcVtk2QRy7

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi)

Adding to the optimism, Canadian Deputy Army Chief Major General Peter Scott is expected to visit India next week for the same conference. Colonel Todd Braithwaite, the Canadian Defence Attaché at the High Commission, expressed hope that the recent developments would not adversely affect bilateral defence ties.

India and Canada have a history of military collaboration, including joint exercises and arms trade. The recent Exercise Sea Dragon in Guam focused on anti-submarine warfare, and involved both nations and Quad nations. Additionally, there has been a bilateral arms trade exceeding $122 million in the fiscal year 2020, indicating substantial Defence ties between the two nations. As the IPACC approaches, all eyes are on the conference to see how these diplomatic efforts and military collaboration will impact the regional dynamics and foster peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.