Indo-Canada Bilateral Cooperation: Deepening of Ties

Indo-Canada Bilateral Cooperation: Deepening of Ties

Question - India’s PM Narendra Modi has spoken of a saffron revolution combining civil nuclear energy with renewable forms of energy on his trip to Canada recently. Discuss the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation between India and Canada following this visit.

• “New Vigour, New Steps” marked the advancement of bilateral ties between India and Canada

• The two countries also stressed

- Continued diversification,
- Growth and deepening of bilateral ties and
- Shared values of pluralism, tolerance, human rights and democracy
- Regular discussions between two nations are to be held on sidelines of global meets

• Expansion of bilateral ties in the following areas took place:

- Economy
- Trade and Investment
- Civil Nuclear Cooperation
- Energy
- Education and Skills Development
- Agriculture
- Defence and Security
- Science, Technology, Innovation and Space
- Culture, People to People Ties

A. Economy

• Bilateral and commercial linkages were stressed
• Canada prioritised India in its Global Markets Action Plan
• Commercial potential of Indian schemes like Make in India and Smart Cities was studied
• Early finalisation of the Bilateral Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement was promoted
• Roadmap for mutually rewarding Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was also stressed
• Canadian know-how would be used for urban development of Smart Cities in India
• MoU was signed on Cooperation between Indian railways ministry and Transport Canada for technical cooperation
• MoU on Civil Aviation was finalised between Transport Canada and Ministry of Civil Aviation, India for a JWG
• Finance Minister’s Dialogue was formed for deepening India-Canada economic and financial ties

B. Civil Nuclear Cooperation

• Agreement was signed between DAE and Cameco Canada for long term supply of uranium to India
• Fresh impetus for India Canada Civil Nuclear Cooperation resulted
• A collaborative programme in PHWR/ Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor technology was initiated
• India Nuclear Insurance Pool was formed with possible participation of global companies
• Plans were made for Canadian civil nuclear trade mission to India in October 2015
• Steps were taken for R&D collaboration
• Atomic Energy Regulatory Board of India and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission finalised agreement for regulatory cooperation in:
- Nuclear safety
- Radiation regulation

C. Energy

• Steps were taken to expand bilateral trade and investment in energy and resources through mechanisms like Canada-India Ministerial Energy Dialogue

• Commercial cooperation was encouraged between energy companies was in areas such as:
- Energy Efficiency and Innovation
- Oil and Gas Development
- Exchange of Regulatory Best Practices
- Renewable Energy
- Nuclear Energy

• IOC also made the commitment to invest in LNG project in British Columbia

D. Education and Skills Development

• Greater student, faculty and P2P exchanges were stressed
• India was accorded priority in Canadian International Education Strategy
• Canada also stressed partnership in GIAN/ Global Initiative of Academic Networks
• First Co-Funded Student Exchange Programme was initiated through HRD ministry’s Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme and Canada Mitacs Globalink Programme
• 13 MoUs were signed between National Skill Development Council of India and 13 Canadian colleges, institutions, sector skills councils in the following fields:

- Agriculture
- Apparel and Textiles
- Automotive Sector
- Aviation
- Construction
- Green Economy
- Healthcare
- Hydrocarbons
- IT
- Telecom & Electronics,
- Water
- Sports Sector
• The Canada India MoU on higher education was renewed on rolling basis

E. Agriculture

• The Planet Health Technical Working Group as a subgroup of MoU in Agricultural Cooperation was formed
• Deepening bilateral ties in agriculture and agri-food was emphasised including drylands farming and food processing

F. Defence and Security

• The 2 leaders of India and Canada reaffirmed strong condemnation of:

- Terrorism
- Extremism
- Radicalisation

• India-Canada NSA meet planned during 13th India Canada JWG on Counter Terrorism on 19th March 2015
• Deputy NSAs to have a round of dialogue as part of agreement
• MoU between Ministry of Communications and IT, India and Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness., Canada on Cooperation in the Area of Cyber Security
• Joint training of defence personnel was explored
• Statement of Intent was signed between DRDO India and Defence Research and Development Canada

Facts and Stats

• Bilateral relations between India and Canada are pursued through:

- Foreign Office Consultations,
- Ministerial level Strategic Dialogue,
- Ministerial Level Energy Dialogue,
- Joint Committee on Nuclear Cooperation Agreement,
- Trade Policy Consultations,
- Economic and Financial Sector Policy Dialogue,
- Joint Working Group on Counter-terrorism, Science & Technology Committee, Environment Forum,
- Energy Forum,
- Steering Committee on Mining and Earth Sciences,
- JWGs on ICTE, Education, Pulses, Plant Protection, Health, Agriculture and SPS issues

• Two way bilateral trade in 2012 between India and Canada was USD 5.2 billion

• It rose to USD 5.7 billion in 2013, an increase of 7.69 percent

• Canada is home to 1 million PIOs; 9 Indo Canadian MPs are in the House of Commons and 1 in the Senate