PM Modi's visit to Canada 'first stand alone bilateral visit since 1973': MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Canada was the first stand alone bilateral visit since 1973.

"Dr. Manmohan Singh did visit Canada, it was primarily for the G-20 Summit," said MEA official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin. "There was a bilateral element, but it was not a standalone bilateral visit. These are diplomatic terms that are well known," he added.

The Congress Party had earlier contested Prime Minister Modi's assertion that he is the first Indian Prime Minister to make a bilateral visit to Canada in 42 years. Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma earlier told the media in New Delhi that former prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had visited Canada in 2010.

"On (Stephen) Harper's invitation, Manmohan Singh went to Canada in 2010. It was a state visit and the two released a joint statement after their bilateral engagements," he said.