PM Modi calls up Canada's PM-elect Justin Trudeau

New Delhi: With Justin Trudeau set to take over as Prime Minister of Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called him up and sent a letter to congratulate him and convey the desire to work closely with him to further deepen the bilateral ties, which the Canadian leader reciprocated.

During the telephonic conversation, Modi invited Trudeau to pay an official visit to India which he accepted with pleasure. The two leaders also agreed to meet on the margins of the upcoming G-20 Summit in Turkey and COP Summit in France.

Modi warmly congratulated Trudeau for leading the Liberal Party to victory in the recently-held elections and wished him success in his new responsibilities to lead Canada on the path of progress and prosperity.

The Prime Minister recalled his meeting with Trudeau in April during his visit to Canada.

Noting that India-Canada relations are anchored in a common framework of democracy, pluralism, rule of law and close people-to-people relations, Modi said India attaches high priority to deepening and further expanding its strategic partnership with that country.

Trudeau thanked Modi for the felicitations and expressed his strong desire to work closely with him to further strengthen the relationship and make progress in all areas of cooperation, including political, economical and security.

Earlier, Modi wrote a letter to Trudeau, saying that India-Canada partnership is blessed with enormous potential for mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas and can help shape a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

"I am delighted to extend to you, on behalf of the government and people of India, my heartiest congratulations for leading the Liberal Party of Canada to a victory in the general election," Modi said in his message.

"I look forward to working closely with you to further expand and deepen the relationship between our two countries in the years ahead," he said.

The Prime Minister, who visited Canada in April, said relations between the two countries have made remarkable progress in recent years and were elevated to the level of strategic partnership during his trip.

He said Canada has emerged as an important and reliable partner in India's socio-economic transformation.

"Our partnership is not only blessed with enormous potential for mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas, it can also help shape a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world," Modi wrote to Trudeau.

Hailing the 43-year-old Trudeau, Modi said, "You bring vision, youth and energy to your leadership, which will no doubt sustain and strengthen Canada's success at home and abroad. Your leadership will also be of great significance for the world at a time of many global challenges."

The Prime Minister fondly recalled his meeting with Trudeau in April and said, "I was particularly struck by your desire to deepen our multifaceted ties, anchored in a common framework of democracy, pluralism, rule of law and close people-to-people relations."

Modi extended an invitation to Trudeau and his family to pay an official visit to India. "I look forward to welcoming you in New Delhi."