Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, will visit Canada from April 14 to 16, 2015, making stops in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver.
"Canada and India enjoy a close friendship based on shared values of democracy, pluralism and a mutual interest in expanding trade. India's growing economy presents enormous opportunities for Canada and I look forward to meeting with Prime Minister Modi to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand our trade and investment ties with a view to benefitting citizens of both countries," Prime Minister Harper was quoted, as saying in a statement issued on his behalf by the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Modi's bilateral visit to Canada - his first since taking office - will provide an opportunity for the leaders to reaffirm the close relationship between Canada and India and to discuss ways to further broaden its scope.
Increased cooperation in the fields of science and technology, innovation, education, security, counter-terrorism and energy are expected to feature prominently in discussions.
Canada and India have long-standing and positive bilateral relations based on shared values of democracy, pluralism and a mutual interest in expanding trade.
India is Canada's largest trading partner in South Asia and continues to be a priority market under Canada's Global Markets Action Plan.
With bilateral merchandise trade totalling nearly USD 6.33 billion in 2014, a market of more than 1.2 billion people, and a predicted economic growth of 6.4 per cent in 2015, India represents exciting opportunities for Canadian businesses.
Prime Minister Harper first met Prime Minister Modi on the margins of the G-20 Summit in Australia in November 2014. Prime Minister Harper also visited India in November 2012 and November 2009.
This is the first bilateral visit to Canada by an Indian Prime Minister since 1973.
