PM Modi's visit to Canada is 'transformative': Kasi Rao

Toronto-based Asia Pacific Foundation vice president and director Kasi Rao on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Canada would be a transformative one and will take the relationship between the two nations to a new height.

"This visit is a transformative visit. It is the first bilateral visit in over four decades. The good thing is that the India-Canada relationship is in good shape. A number of very good things have been happening in Canada and India across many sectors," Rao said.

"What makes this visit so different is that it takes it to a completely different level. It is a transformative visit, and for us in particular, the engagement with the community at the Ricoh Coliseum, where we have over 8,000 people coming for a free community event, the interest level is quite striking. Over 1,100 volunteers, young and old, want to be a part of this. So, I think, the invitation by the Prime Minister of India to be a part of the reform process is a matter of happiness for us," he added.

Rao said that this visit was a multi-pronged one.

"So, there will be bilateral visits - government-to-government, there will be meetings with business community leaders, and above all, there will be an engagement with the community.

"I think all of this is happening in the space of less than three days, in our capital, at Ottawa, in Toronto, which is a financial capital and one of the most diverse in North America. In terms of 'Smart Cities' and the plan to build 100 smart cities, Canada has a lot to offer in this regard. Indeed, at the University of Toronto, the president of the university is an expert on 'Smart Cities' and on urban development," Rao said.

Elaborating on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Canada Rao said, "I think the real interest with respect to Prime Minster Modi's visit is that, number one, he has already had an engagement with a number of Canadian political leaders, business leaders and community leaders."

"Number two, he commands a majority government and number three he has a reputation for getting things done. I think all of that has made smart money for India now," he added.

In the final leg of his three-nation trip, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Canada on Tuesday and meet his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper in Ottawa.

This will be the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 42 years. Modi will also reach out to the Indian diaspora in Toronto and Vancouver. (ANI)

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