PM Narendra Modi reaches Canada for three-day trip, to focus on energy, investments

On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to the nation on Wednesday, there is a palpable excitement here, as this is the maiden standalone visit to Canada by an Indian PM in over 42 years. PM Modi arrived in Ottawa after he completed his France and Germany tour, he was received by Indian high Commissioner to Canada Vishnu Prakash. Canada is the final leg of his three-nation tour.

Ottawa: On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to the nation on Wednesday, there is a palpable excitement here, as this is the maiden standalone visit to Canada by an Indian PM in over 42 years. PM Modi arrived here today after he completed his France and Germany tour, he was received by Indian high Commissioner to Canada Vishnu Prakash. Canada is the final leg of his three-nation tour.

Here are the LIVE updates:

• Canadian investment to India is only approximately about 5 billion dollars: MEA. 
• "PM will make personal pitch for it&India will wrk towards easing opportunities for investments by Canadian investors," he adds.
• He further says: "Agriculture, skilling, education sector which PM has identified as major areas of diplomacy for development."
• Another area where India and Canada have common approach is security, will be discussions in this, says Akbaruddin.  
• We are focused in ensuring that this visit sets a trajectory which will reflect the new strength in our ties: MEA spokesperson.​
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a warm welcome from the Indian community outside the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.
• We are focused on several broad areas. Energy coop is a major aspect of our bilateral ties, says Akbaruddin.

  It is the young who are especially excited to greet PM @narendramodi. #ModiinCanada pic.twitter.com/a1PGRk4kH2 — Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) April 15, 2015

• MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin says, "Visit is historical milestone in our bilateral ties because 1st time in 42 years Indian PM has come for bilateral visit to Canada."
• A young supporter of Prime Minister Modi says that he was really proud to be an Indian. "I am really proud to be an Indian today. That`s for sure," news agency ANI quotes him as saying.
• PM shake hands with some people.
• People waving the Indian tricolour reaches out to shake hands with the visiting PM, with chants of `Modi, Modi`. 
• PM Modi meets supporters assembled outside the hotel in Ottawa.

  PM Modi meets supporters assembled outside the hotel in Ottawa #ModiinCanada pic.twitter.com/wfTsVAlC0Q — ANI (@ANI_news) April 14, 2015

• PM Narendra Modi's supporters wait outside the hotel to greet him.

  PM Shri @narendramodi being welcomed on arrival at Macdonald-Cartier International Airport in Ottawa, Canada pic.twitter.com/gXJv7zQ5pq

  — PIB India (@PIB_India) April 15, 2015

  A long wait ends - PM @narendramodi is in Canada. 1st Indian PM on a stand alone bilateral visit in 42 years. pic.twitter.com/4DrWIqTXGM — Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) April 14, 2015

  Indian Ambassador to Canada Vishnu Prakash said the Canadian side has prepared to roll out a red-carpet welcome for PM Modi as he arrived in Canadian capital Ottawa today after completing his France and Germany tour. 

  PM Modi arrived here today for a three-day visit aiming to secure a deal for import of uranium, invite investments and improving visa facilities for Indo-Canadians.

  Besides meeting with the political leadership, PM will be addressing the Indian diaspora, in a "Madison Square-like" event, and friends of India at Toronto today, where a large turnout is expected.

  Modi will hold talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on a wide range of issues, including nuclear energy, trade and investment.

  PM Modi is also likely to interact with Canadian business leaders, who are enthused about the economic developments and unfolding business and investment opportunities back home.

  On one hand India sees Canada as an important partner in fulfilling its developmental needs and expects the visit to impart new vigour in bilateral relations. Canada, on the other hand, is closely following the opportunities emerging from India's massive urbanization, infrastructure development and planned smart cities.

  Canada's Cameco Corp, one of the world's biggest uranium producers, has been holding talks with Indian government officials for a long term supply arrangement.

  The visit is being portrayed by Harper's office as a chance to broaden trade involving education, energy and science and technology.

  India is confident that the proposed Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) between India and Canada will be signed soon, as authorities on both sides have stepped up efforts for the agreement that has been in limbo since 2007, official sources said.

  India's concerns have been over certain provisions of the negotiated pact, which allow a foreign investor to sue the host country at an international dispute settlement agency bypassing the domestic legal system.

  Meanwhile, the Indo-Canadian community has urged Prime Minister Modi to provide electronic travel visa facilities to Canadians.

  An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) will help Canadians to travel to India for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less with an electronic Indian visa without having to submit the original passport and visa application. Citizens of 42 countries have this facility now.

  PM Modi will also visit a memorial set up for the 1985 Kanishka air crash victims in Toronto as also Laxmi Narayan Temple in Vancouver.

  Earlier, PM Modi while leaving Berlin has said "I leave Germany with great satisfaction... this visit will strengthen the India-Germany ties," the prime minister said before boarding Air India One.

  After official meetings in Ottawa, PM Modi will deliver a speech at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto today.

  He will end the trip with a state dinner with Harper in Vancouver and visit Sikh and Hindu temples in Vancouver and Surrey.

  Canada will be the third and final destination of PM Modi's three-nation tour which also took him to France and Germany.

  (With Agency inputs)