Sometimes principle has to trump the almighty dollar. Then again, sometimes not.
Stephen Harper has been giving China the cold shoulder, arguing he's concerned about human rights. Nuclear proliferation, however, doesn't seem to be such a big deal to Stevie, especially if it's not to Washington.
According to the online newsweekly Embassy, India now meets Canada's four criteria in our foreign policy: freedom, democracy, human rights and rule of law. Democracy, okay. Rule of law, more or less. Human rights, hey, who's perfect? Freedom, all depends. It also meets our prime principle - it's acceptable to Washington.
"...experts say the issue, one where Canada has a reputation as a defender of non-proliferation, still represents the biggest roadblock in relations between the two countries, especially since the Conservatives' stance has not been defined.
"In an interview, Kanti Bajpai, India's most renowned international affairs commentator, said he believed the Canadian government is "preparing the ground for coming to terms with India on the nuclear issue."
"Mr. Bajpai says the same arguments the Americans have used in defending their decision to weaken their stance on India's nuclear capabilities–by stating that India is a responsible nuclear power within a strong democracy–could be used by Canada. 'We've got to move on from 1974 and 1998,' he said. 'Obviously the subtext is that there are economic opportunities with India that Canada would like to realize. I guess Canada will begin to modify its policy.'
"But Mr. Bajpai said Canada is moving slowly as it waits to see whether the U.S. Congress approves a new American position towards India and various other organizations."
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