Toronto: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen
Harper will visit India next month, his maiden official trip
to the country during which the two sides are expected to
finalise a civil nuclear deal and ink a major economic treaty
besides exploring ways to lower trade barriers.
Harper, who will be accompanied by a high-powered
delegation, will deliberate on a range of bilateral issues
with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The Conservative leader will pay a three-day visit India
from November 16 after participating in a two-day Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Singapore, the Prime
Minister's office said today. This will be followed by a visit
to China from December 2 to 6.
Noting that there is a "tremendous amount of potential"
in Canada's ties with India, Harper said in a statement, "our
two countries enjoy a growing partnership, sharing significant
interests in trade and investment, the environment and
regional security."
During the tour, Harper is expected to finalise a nuclear
deal and sign a Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion
Agreement (FIPPA) that would safeguard investors' rights in
the two countries and boost bilateral economic ties.
Singh and Harper are also expected to talk about
establishing a Canada-India Free Trade Agreement or smaller
steps that would help lower trade barriers between the two
countries, officials said.
In addition to New Delhi, Harper is also likely to visit
the country's commercial hub of Mumbai. He may also consider
visits to Chennai or Hyderabad, where Canadian companies are
particularly active.
Harper's India trip follows 11 ministerial-level visits
to the country since 2006, and the opening of new Canadian
trade offices this year in Hyderabad, Kolkata and Ahmedabad.
Canada has ramped up activities in India in the last few
years, opening several trade offices in the hopes of boosting
a trading relationship valued now at a relatively minuscule
USD 2 billion a year.
"The footprint of Canada is very strong in India and it
suggests that the government is building a foundation on which
to really expand trade, which has been minimal," a diplomatic
source said.
In his statement, Harper also noted that "Canada is
committed to a strong relationship with China that reflects
our mutual respect and the need for practical cooperation."
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, October 29, 2009, 19:41