Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on Friday discussed various bilateral as well as global issues such as trade, defence, civil nuclear cooperation, space, tackling climate change energy and education. Cooperation on counter-terror measures was a key area of focus in view of India’s concerns over the Sikh radicalism in Canada. At the end of a two-hour meeting between Modi and Trudeau, six agreements in areas of higher education, atomic energy, ICT, IPR, energy and sports were inked. Addressing media persons jointly, Modi said, “India and Canada will deepen social and economic ties going ahead. Canada Pension Fund is a large investor in India. We look forward to allowing Canada to double investments in India. India values expanding strategic partnership with Canada. Our relations are based on democracy, multiculturalism, primacy of law and sustained dialogue.”
With his first official visit to India yielding bilateral investments worth more than $1 billion, Trudeau stressed the need to expand India-Canada trade and commercial ties. “As Canada looks to diversify its own economy and looks for new opportunities to do business beyond its boundaries, India is a natural partner and a trusted friend for commercial cooperation,” the Canadian PM said.
