From the Frigid Arctic Waters to the Warmth of the Indian Ocean: Maritime Bilateralism between Canada and India

The post–Cold War concept of security has undergone a significant transformation, from a conventional military-centric understanding towards a wide-ranging approach under the framework of human security. Using relevant theoretical approaches, this paper examines the geostrategic and non-traditional security intricacies of the Arctic and Indian Oceans by virtue of their distinct geostrategic positions, and the resulting implications for Canada and India. In particular this paper looks at the cases of the Northwest Passage and Arctic boundaries of Canada; the Himalayas, monsoon, and mangrove vegetations of India; and the geostrategic vulnerabilities encountered by Indigenous Peoples in Canada's Arctic and on India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The study also discusses the rationale behind Canada's involvement in the Indo-Pacific and India's engagement in the Arctic. The paper concludes that the presence of these common concerns has facilitated a convergence of interests between these maritime powers, contributing to the potential crafting of a durable and long-lasting bilateral relationship.