MLI Munk Senior Fellow Shuvaloy Majumdar appeared on CBC’s Power and Politics to discuss the ongoing diplomatic dispute between Canada and Saudi Arabia.
He spoke of the need for a practical and levelheaded approach to navigating this period of diplomatic tumult and urged that restoring the relationship is in Canada’s long-term interests.
Majumdar made clear that there is “no need to apologize for standing up for Canada’s values,” but recommended that Canada take a more “sophisticated” approach to addressing human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. He also made note of the “tectonic reforms” that the kingdom has recently undertaken—both within civil society and its commercial sector.
Finally, Majumdar urged the Canadian government to “avoid falling into the politics of sanctimony” in order to preserve Canada’s long-term interests, benefit Canada’s standing in the Gulf region, and more effectively promote pluralism, tolerance, and respect for human rights.
