NEW DELHI: In a phone conversation on Tuesday, PM Modi and his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, reaffirmed their commitment to finalising the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement at the earliest and doubling bilateral trade by 2030.
Modi will visit Canada in Dec - on his way to the G20 summit in US - and the trade agreement is expected during the trip.India is also discussing a possible visit by Carney in Jan as chief guest for Republic Day. Canada foreign minister Anita Anand and trade minister Maninder Sidhu are visiting India currently.Modi said the two agreed to build on the positive momentum in ties and work for concrete outcomes across key areas, including trade, energy, tech security and people-to-people ties. "Had a warm and productive conversation with PM Mark Carney. Together, India and Canada are contributing towards a more stable and prosperous world," Modi tweeted. tnnModi & Carney welcome increased India-Canada engagement over last year According to a Canadian readout, the PMs welcomed the increased engagement between Canada and India over the past year, including in areas such as finance, defence and security, people-to-people ties and artificial intelligence.
They underscored the opportunity to build on this renewed momentum."The leaders also discussed the impact of geopolitical instability in the Indo-Pacific region and the need for trusted partners in the areas of energy and agriculture," said the Canadian readout, adding that Carney thanked Modi for his leadership in seeking a peaceful resolution to Russia's war on Ukraine.
The leaders welcomed the bilateral security dialogue that took place in India last week as part of the ongoing security and law enforcement engagement at the national security adviser level.
They also agreed to remain in close contact ahead of Modi's visit to Canada in Dec."They welcomed the historic Team Canada Trade Mission currently taking place in India, led by the minister of international trade, Maninder Sidhu, as well as a visit to New Delhi this week by the minister of foreign affairs, Anita Anand, to advance shared priorities, including trade, energy and people-to-people ties," read the readout.