Canadian Governor General David Johnston to visit India from Feb.22

Canadian Governor General David Johnston will be on a week-long visit to India from February 22 to March 2.

According to a Canadian High Commission release, Johnston will be joined by parliamentarians and an accompanying delegation of Canadians who will enhance business, academic, cultural and people-to-people ties with their Indian counterparts.

These exchanges will further develop the wide-ranging and multi-faceted relationship with India, a major economic player and priority market for Canada, and will provide greater impetus to bilateral initiatives in various sectors, particularly in strategies promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and education.

"I am looking forward to my State visit to India, which will be centered on the themes of innovation, entrepreneurship and education, with a special focus on the contributions of women and girls," Canadian High Commission release said Johnston as saying.

"This visit is a reflection of the importance Canada attaches to its relationship with India. Both of our countries are committed to strengthening our partnership and co-operation. The Canada-India economic relationship is strong and holds tremendous potential for broader and expanded collaboration," he said.

"During our time spent in New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai, we will meet with government officials, representatives from the business and education sectors and those from non-governmental organizations with the aim of advancing our economic, academic and cultural ties with Indian counterparts," he added

Talking about the forthcoming visit, Stewart Beck, High Commissioner for Canada to India, said "This visit builds on a series of high level visits from both sides in the recent past and is a reflection of the strong bilateral relations enjoyed by our countries. This visit will further enhance our bilateral trade relationship and thereby help the citizens of both countries."

During his visit, Johnston will be officially welcomed by President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a welcoming ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

He will meet with Canadian and Indian business leaders to discuss economic relationship at a business meeting with the Chambers of Commerce hosted by the Government of India and at the Canada-India CEO Forum.

He will also discuss the role of innovation in addressing global health challenges during the Grand Challenges Global Health Innovation Roundtable, organized by Grand Challenges Canada.

He will also participate in a panel discussion on "Canada-India: Training the Next Generation of Innovators and Researchers", with Canadian and Indian leaders in the field of research and mobility.