Canadian PM arrives on weeklong visit today

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 17

In probably one of his longest trips to any country, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would arrive in India on Saturday to reinforce the strong and strategic partnership between the two countries while seeking to expand commercial and investment opportunities.

Wheels up for India and a busy visit, focused on creating good jobs and strengthening the deep connection between the people of our two countries. 🇨🇦🇮🇳

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau)

During the weeklong sojourn, Trudeau will be accompanied by six ministers, including all four Sikh members — Navdeep Bains, Bardish Chhagar, Amarjit Sohi and Harjit Sajjan. MPs and business delegations would separately be in India.

The trip comes in the backdrop of concerns over activities of Sikh radicals in Canada amid reports that several gurdwaras had banned the entry of Indian officials.

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MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said all issues of interest would be on the agenda. The official talks are to be held on February 23.

The Canadians are keen to conclude negotiations towards the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, citing that the latter would facilitate greater investment.

At present, Canada estimates an investment in the range of Canadian $14-16 billion and senses that funds, including pension accruements, could come in greater measure as a way of investments into India.

In 2017, two-way merchandise trade amounted to $8.4 billion, split equally between exports to and imports from India ($4 billion each). That year, India was Canada’s eighth largest destination for merchandise exports.

Trudeau will visit Agra, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Amritsar and Delhi. He is scheduled to pay a visit to Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar, the Golden Temple and Jama Masjid, besides packing his itinerary with meetings with business and trade delegations, and outreach to the student community and academia.