Press Release

Visit of Prime Minister of Canada Right Hon'ble Stephen Harper

12/11/2009

At the invitation of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of Canada, Right Hon’ble Stephen Harper will pay an official visit to India from 15-18 November 2009.

Prime Minister Harper will be accompanied by Mrs. Laureen Harper, Foreign Minister, Mr. Lawrence Cannon, Minister of International Trade, Mr. Stockwell Day, and a Parliamentary delegation.

During the visit, the Hon’ble President and the Hon’ble Vice President will receive Prime Minister Harper. He will hold discussions with Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and meet with the External Affairs Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

Prime Minister Harper’s discussions with the Prime Minister will include a review of the bilateral agenda, and an exchange of views on regional and global issues of common interest. India and Canada share a commonality of values including an abiding commitment to democracy, pluralism and rule of law.

In recent years, the India-Canada bilateral agenda has diversified to include new areas of cooperation such as science and technology, agriculture and space. Bilateral trade has been increasing steadily, reaching $4.6 billion in 2008. India and Canada are negotiating the institutional framework for enhancing bilateral trade and investment, including a Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement and a Social Security Agreement, and are presently considering the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement. The Indian origin community in Canada has strengthened people-to-people linkages between the two countries.

New Delhi
November 12, 2009