Twitter
Advertisement

PM Modi heads home after three-nation tour; says visit will herald a new era in India-Canada ties

Winding up his visit to Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said it was a historic trip that will herald a new era of cooperation between the two countries as he promised an early conclusion of a free trade agreement and a bilateral investment protection pact.

Latest News
article-main
Prime Minister Narendra with Stephen Harper
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday wrapped up his three-nation tour of France, Germany and Canada during which a number of important agreements were signed, including for the supply of 36 Rafale fighter jets by France and uranium from Canada.

"I leave Canada with immense satisfaction. This visit will further enhance India-Canada ties. A big thanks to the people of Canada," Prime Minister Modi tweeted before his departure.

"A special thanks to @pmharper -- a fine host, a wonderful human being and a very dear friend," Modi said in another tweet before heading home.

The Prime Minister's aircraft will make a brief stopover in Frankfurt for refuelling before heading for Delhi.

Also read: PM Modi visits Vancouver Gurdwara, Laxmi Narayan temple

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper hailed the contribution of the Indian community in building a stronger, better and more prosperous Canada.

“This trip has been about Canada-India relationships, but it has also been about showcasing the tremendous contribution that Canadians of Indian origin, now 1.2 million, have made in helping to build a stronger, better and more prosperous Canada,” Prime Minister Harper said at the official dinner for Prime Minister Modi.

He added that the people of Indian origin had made a lasting contribution to Canada’s prosperity and cultural diversity.

Watch: 

The Canadian Prime Minister also recalled that his second visit to India was the longest trip any Canadian premier has made anywhere in the world.

“My second trip to India was the longest bilateral visit any Canadian Prime Minister has ever made anywhere in the world.

Our systems are rooted in freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, federalism and pluralism,” said Prime Minister Harper. 

Also read: Canada stands overwhelmingly in support of unity, strength of India: PM Stephen Harper

Earlier in the day, Modi said it was a historic trip that will herald a new era of cooperation between the two countries as he promised an early conclusion of a free trade agreement and a bilateral investment protection pact.

"The importance of a visit is not measured by length but by the objectives...This was a historic visit, not because that an Indian Prime Minister is visiting here after 42 years but because after 42 years, the clouds of distance have gone away in a moment," Modi said at a reception hosted in his honour by his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper.

Also read: Visit will herald a new era in India-Canada ties: PM Narendra Modi

The thrust of Modi's trip was on attracting investments and technology for development of India through the "Make in India" programme.

During his Germany visit, Modi inaugurated the Hannover Fair of which India was a partner country with a theme of 'Make in India'.

Also read: Hinduism not a religion but a way of life, says PM Modi in Vancouver

France was the first destination of his nine-day tour.

During his stay in Paris, Modi held talks with President Francois Hollande and met business leaders.

An agreement was signed under which India will buy 36 Rafale fighter jets in flyaway condition from France and a decision was made to move ahead with the stalled Jaitapur nuclear project in Maharashtra.

Also read: PM Modi will change India forever, says British Columbia Premier Christy Clark

He then headed to Germany where he held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and announced that a mechanism will be established to facilitate investment and business from Germany as the two countries agreed to broaden bilateral economic cooperation.

Modi's final destination was Canada where besides meeting business leaders and making stops at Toronto and Vancouver he held talks with his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper in Ottawa after which Canada agreed to supply 3,000 metric tonnes of uranium to India from this year under a USD 254 million five-year deal to power Indian atomic reactors.

Also read: 'Demand to do business with India has gone up exponentially,' Canada tells Modi
 

(With agencies input)

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement