The Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Stephen Harper, visited India from 15-18 November, 2009. During his official discussionS with India’s Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the visiting leader reviewed bilateral relations and discussed issues of shared interest. They noted the depth and dynamism of the relationship between the two countries that are marked by common values and shared traditions of democracy, the rule of law and pluralism.

G20 in Canada

The Prime Ministers agreed on the importance of working collaboratively towards global economic recovery, and building international efforts ahead of the G-20 meeting that Canada will be hosting in 2010. Prime Minister Harper looked forward to welcoming Prime Minister Dr. Singh to Canada on this occasion in June 2010. The two leaders agreed on the importance of moving forward constructively on the WTO Doha Round negotiations and decided to intensify the economic and trade relationship by concluding bilateral economic agreements.

They welcomed the ongoing efforts to strengthen the institutional framework for bilateral relations, including negotiations on the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, the Social Security Agreement and the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.

Year of India in Canada

Recognizing the vibrant people-to-people ties linking the two countries, the two Prime Ministers noted the importance of citizens becoming better acquainted with each other through culture, sports and tourism. They look forward to the Winter Olympics to be hosted by Canada in 2010, the Commonwealth Games to be hosted by India in 2010 and the Year of India to be celebrated in locations across Canada in 2011. To achieve the goals, the two Leaders committed themselves to sustained political engagement, a structured exchange of high level visits and regular dialogue.

Agreements

Canada and India signed two agreements for closer partnership on trade and investment areas. Prime Ministers Harper and Dr. Manmohan Singh witnessed the signing of two agreements by Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and Anand Sharma, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry.

The MoU on Energy Cooperation explores increased cooperation on clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency, power generation, oil and gas exploration, research and development, energy policy and areas of mutual interest to support key priorities for the Government of Canada in developing a clean energy economy and expanding international trade.

Trade

They expressed satisfaction at the functioning of the institutional mechanisms which steer bilateral cooperation and look forward to the launch of new mechanisms to reinforce the partnership. They expressed hope that concerted efforts on institutional framework would lead to an increase in bilateral trade from the current level to US$15 billion annually in the next five years.

The Prime Ministers recognized the important role played by the India-Canada Chief Executive Officers Forum, constituted by prominent companies from each country, and encourage them to pursue means for expanding commercial relations between the two countries.

Both sides recognized education as a key area of momentum and stressed the need to facilitate mutually beneficial linkages in science, technology and innovation, as well as synergies between institutions of higher learning in Canada and India.

In Mumbai

Stephen Harper started his visit from Mumbai-India’s business capital. There Harper talked up trade at a business luncheon; visited a Jewish outreach centre that faced a terror attack in November 2008 and hung out with one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, winding up the day at a stage show with a troupe of spinning Indian dancers.

Prefacing the relations with India, Harper told the business luncheon meeting in Mumbai, “Canada and India, despite our occasional differences, have always been friends. The bonds between us are . . . strong and plentiful. But the untapped potential in our relationship is also undeniable. Where we are today is not where we need to be. Yes, we are good friends and partners but we could be better friends and partners”

“As India takes its rightful place in the world, Canada stands beside you as a steadfast and faithful friend,” the Prime Minister told a rapt audience of Indian and Canadian businessmen in the Trident Hotel in Mumbai.

Harper sincerely hoped that the two countries would sign the “bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement soon to help India’s growing need for clean sources of energy”.

Tracing Indo-Canada relationships, from the days of Nehru, Harper spoke about the potential in trade, investment, and science and technology that exist between the two countries. He dwelt on their potential on the world stage when an economic crisis is sweeping the globe. Harper praised his own Minister for International Trade, Stockwell Day and told the audience that “Stockwell is one of the leading figures in our government’s unprecedented effort to reinvigorate Canada-India relations.”

Referring to Indian giants like Infosys, Tata and Reliance, Harper said, “The South Asian tiger has awoken and the world is standing in awe.” The audience reciprocated in a standing ovation.

Harper conceded that even though the combined GDP of Canada and India is well on its way to US$4 trillion, trade between the two countries was merely US$5 billion. “Our countries share tremendous commercial interests and have great potential for increased trade,” Harper said. “Between us, our GDP is well on its way to US$4 trillion. Yet at the moment, we are only doing US$5 billion worth of business per year.”

The Prime Minister and his wife Laureen visited Chabad House, the Jewish centre in Mumbai which was part of the Mumbai attack that killed 190 people. Harper referred to his visit in the luncheon speech, saying, “I have to say having visited the site of one this morning that these acts are acts which all civilized peoples utterly condemn.”

Harper congratulated film star Ashkay Kumar, who is like Bollywood’s Brad Pitt. Akshay will be carrying the Olympic torch in Toronto on 17 December as it makes its way to the 2010 Games in Vancouver.

The audience at the luncheon meeting comprised of a sizable number of Indo-Canadian business persons, who included real estate developer from Calgary Bob Dhillon; Hotelier from Toronto Deepak Ruparrell; Kama Candy president and CEO Aditya Jha; and many Indo-Canadian MPs like Deepak Obhrai, Tim Uppal, Devinder Shory and Nina Grewal.

In New Delhi, the Canadian Prime Minister met with the President, Vice President and Opposition Leader of India. He also had a meeting with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Before returning to Canada, the Prime Minister paid a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar.