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Indo-Canadian relations on the upswing

During a series of meetings with his Canadian counterparts on June 11-13 in Ottawa, Ranjit Singh Kalha, secretary (west) in the external affairs ministry, found a keenness to restore ties and increase interaction between the two countries.

The gradual thaw in bilateral relations has been prompted by pragmatism, Kalha told India Abroad on June 13.

According to him, both Canada and India realise that there is greater benefit in expanding the political and economic relationship, increasing trade and using the burgeoning Indo-Canadian community as a bridge between the two countries.

Because of geographical separation, there are bound to be differences, Kalha told an audience of about 30 people who attended a luncheon organised by the Indian consulate. The invitees included Liberal MPs Jim Karygiannis and Tony Ianno, some academics, businessmen and professionals.

Canada is larger than India, but has a much smaller population. Following India's nuclear blasts in May 1998, the country imposed economic sanctions and all ministerial and official-level contacts were suspended.

Though there's no change in India's nuclear policy, Canadian Foreign Minister John Manley, while announcing the lifting of sanctions, noted that "Canada is encouraged by the Indian government's unilateral moratorium on further testing and its efforts to forge a domestic consensus in favour of signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty".

He went on to say "that the Government of Canada will pursue the broadest possible political and economic relationship with India. Canada will encourage bilateral ministerial visits, resume the Canadian International Development Agency's programming in India, including industrial co-operation, and provide support to culture and sports."

As part of his interaction in Ottawa, Kalha met Finance Minister Paul Martin, Heritage Minister Shiela Copps, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Rey Pagtakhan and Canadian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Gaetan Laventu. Details of his talks have not been released, but sources say it was mostly a reaffirmation of close, friendly ties.

Martin indicated to Kalha that he would be visiting India later this year to attend the G-20 meeting to be chaired by Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha.

Kalha said his visit was meant to demonstrate India's willingness to match Canadian enthusiasm for a better relationship. Power Minister Suresh Prabhu was in Ottawa, Quebec and Toronto last week. Commerce Minister Murasoli Maran is coming on an official visit in the first part of July.

Canada's Minister for International Trade Pierre Pettigrew will lead a trade delegation to India in October, followed by another trade delegation that will be headed by Pagtakhan. Manley will also be going on an official visit to India, but it could be sometime early next year, informed sources say.

During his meetings in Ottawa and Toronto, Kalha also briefed Canadian parliamentarians about India's relations with Canada: They included Indo-Canadian MPs Deepak Obhrai, Gurmant Grewal and Gurbax Malhi.

Political relations between India and Canada are now on an even keel, he said, adding that there was a similar perception on the Canadian side.

India's economy "is doing well", said Kalha. It has registered a 6.5 per cent average growth and there are indications that it could soon reach as high as 9 per cent. So he suggested that Canadian businesses take advantage of India's economic situation.

Canada has expertise in power, infrastructure and mining. India looks to Canada not only for investments but also technology, he said.

He said Indian companies too had started investing in Canada.

After a two-day stay in Toronto (June 14-15), Kalha left for Vancouver for a series of meetings with community leaders and others.

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