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 likelyto 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 $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."
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