Key Highlights
India and Canada have, for a long time, been closely connected through immigration, trade, and education. These ties have strengthened significantly during the past few years despite certain diplomatic implications. The Indians are the largest expatriate community in Canada and have made significant contributions to the workforce, education system, and economy alike. Moreover, Canadian investments in India are also on the rise. Let us now assess how this interaction is continuously developing.
Strong Indian Growing Presence in Canada
India has become the primary source of immigrants for Canada within a number of vital categories, which include permanent residency, temporary foreign workers, and international students.
-
Permanent Residents: Indian nationals contribute 27% of the permanent residents (PR) in Canada. This data shows how attractive Canada has become to Indian families looking for long-term settling opportunities.
-
Temporary Foreign Workers: 22% in 2023 of temporary foreign workers were from India, the second largest Community.
-
International Students: India also stands number one in the international education scenario-vis-À-vis 45% of all international students in Canada are Indian. Thus, India's presence in the Canadian education system is quite significant.
The total number of Indian Diaspora residents in the country is 2.8 million, including the NRIs and PIOs. This community is the fourth of all immigrant groups in Canada, coming after immigrants from the UK, China, and the Philippines. The Indian nationals are settled predominantly in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Ottawa.
Also Read: The Canada-India Diplomatic Row: Latest Insights on Immigration, Visas, and Indian Students
Increasing Immigration and Citizenship
Immigrants from India to Canada rose hugely in the last two decades. The 1991 Canadian Census put out figures of Indian immigrants at 63,355; however, by 2021, the estimation was for an immigrant population in the neighbourhood of 2,465,995.
-
Increase in enrollment: Indian student enrolment is expected to have surged from two lakh and 18 thousand and five hundred and twenty in 2019 to an estimated four lakh and twenty-seven thousand in 2024, showing a burgeoning interest among Indians to study in Canada.
Per the Trend of Indian Immigration to Canada, Canadian citizenship numbers rising correspondingly: There has always been a fair number of Indian immigrants who take up Canadian citizenship, with Indians gaining Canadian citizenship rising from 44.3% in 2017 to 61.1% in 2021, indicative of very good integration into Canadian society-Mohammed.
Employment and Economic Contributions
The Indian immigrant groups have made very dynamic contributions to Canada's workforce, especially in the high-skilled professional sector. Almost half of Indian immigrants are employed in positions for which a college education is required; this is a strong indication of their high levels of education.
-
Managerial Role: About 19% of the fresh Indian immigrant population has joined a managerial position, which is higher than other immigrants in this managerial role. This metric illustrates the continuing emergence of the Indians into the leadership and decision-making stage.
-
Growing Level of Incomes: Indian immigrant tax filers, on median, have enjoyed an escalating income trend over the last several years, growing from CAD 34,000 in 2017 to CAD 42,000 in 2021. The number is the assurance of what's been an economic success for Indian immigrants here in Canada, as confirmed by their ability to land relatively lucrative jobs.
Canada's Strong Footing in India: Trade and Investments
Even as India's influence within Canada increases, Canada's footprint in India, chiefly regarding trade and investment, will increase. Bilateral trade between India and Canada has significantly increased in recent years.
Trade Volume: Trade with India rose from USD 5.6 billion in 2020-21 to USD 8.9 billion in 2023-24, indicating economic cooperation between India and Canada on the rise. Canada has notably played a huge role in lentil supply to India, which forms the basis of food in Indian diets.
Canadian Investments in India: More than 600 Canadian firms currently operate in India, including famous brands like Tim Hortons and McCain. They have invested heavily in the Indian economy, with total Canadian investments in India accounting for USD 75 billion. The presence of Canadian companies in food processing and retail further intensifies the economic association between the two countries.
Also Read: How to Get a Job in Canada from India? Experts Guide 2024
Cultural Integration and Educational Exchanges
Deep cultural ties still bridge India and Canada in the educational sector. Canada has become an immensely popular place for Indian students to pursue their education, with the benefit of world-class schooling and the offer of permanent residency options after completion.
Educational Opportunities: 45% of international students in Canada are of Indian nationality, forming the largest group of international students in the country. These students would, therefore, not only benefit from a Canadian education but also augment the local economy through the payment of tuition, living expenses, and, later on, employment.
The Future of India-Canada Relations
The movement of people, ideas, and economic interests between India and Canada would be expected to continue even today despite present diplomatic problems. The bonds of immigration, trade, and education run deep and long-term, and prospects of that scale would certainly not be adversely impacted. This relationship, which has developed as a business deal based on common interests, will survive their geopolitical differences.
Conclusion: A Growth-Friendly Partnership
While strong immigration flows, massive growing trade exchanges and great investment still characterize India and Canada as dynamic partners, India continues to be an important source of students, workers, and family members in Canada. At the same time, Canadian companies and investors still find promising opportunities in India's flourishing market.
The connections between these two countries, political or diplomatic, are bound to remain the bedrock for any bilateral relations. With heightened immigration, extensive trade, and institutional educational exchanges, the partnership between India and Canada will soon soar.
To learn more about Canada immigration and some of the prominent ways to settle in Canada, you must contact TerraTern right away. With an expert team and some of the leading well-known subject matter experts, TerraTern is one of the leading organizations in the immigration field!
Why Trust TerraTern