Why is it in the news?

Recently, Five Eyes Alliance helped Canada PM to get a lead on Nijjar’s death.

About Five Eyes Alliance

• An intelligence-sharing alliance consisting of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
• Established for sharing intelligence and collaborating on matters of security.
• Traces back to the Second World War, with the UK and US sharing intelligence after successful code-breaking efforts.
• Originally the BRUSA Agreement (1943), evolving into the UKUSA Agreement (1946) when Canada joined in 1949, followed by New Zealand and Australia in 1956.
• Based on mutual trust, a common language, and a shared commitment to the rule of law and human rights.

Mode of Operation

• Countries engage in intelligence gathering and security cooperation.
• Closer alignment in recent years due to common interests, such as addressing China’s rise.
• The Five Eyes Intelligence Oversight and Review Council, established in 2016, facilitates non-political intelligence oversight, review, and security exchanges among member countries.
• Despite their alliance, member countries may have varying foreign policy positions, as seen in New Zealand’s stance on China.

Relevance to India-Canada Standoff

• The US, UK, and Australia are seen as close to India, but their historical ties to Canada and their alliance commitments may limit outright support for either side.
• Once these countries have clear intelligence and information, they could mediate in the India-Canada issue.
• Canada might approach its Five Eyes partners, including the US, to share additional information on the investigation, leveraging their wider networks and capabilities.