Harper’s India Visit From Nov 3-9
TORONTO: Prime Minister Stephen Harper will visit India from November 3 to 9.
Harper, who will be accompanied by Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Bal Gosal, Minister of State for Sport), and Tim Uppal, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), and representatives of the business and cultural sectors, will also visit Chandigarh, Agra and Bangalore apart from New Delhi.
The prime minister had last visited India in Nov 2009 when the two countries announced a slew of agreements to boost their bilateral relationship.
“Canada enjoys a strong working and personal relationship with India but we must further strengthen the links between our two countries,” the Canadian Prime Minister said in a statement announcing his trip to India.
“India is a growing economy with enormous potential, and expanding our trade and investment links with India will create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity here in Canada,” Harper said.
During his visit, Harper will meet with Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, ministers and officials. He will also address the World Economic Forum on India, an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders, a PMO press release says.
The two countries plan to triple their trade in the coming years from the current levels of a little over $5 billion. The pending nuclear deal and a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) will boost the trade as the two countries work out modalities on these agreements.
Because of the signing of accords in scientific and educational areas, the number of Indian students
in Canada has jumped to more than 23,000 , making India the second-largest source of foreign students to Canada.
Over 30,000 Indian immigrants also make Canada their home each year.
