Civil nuclear cooperation will be the focus of discussions between visiting Canadian Prime Minister, Mr. Stephen Harper and his Indian counterpart, Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi tomorrow. <br/>The spokesman of External Affairs Ministry, Mr. Vishnu Prakash told reporters in New Delhi this evening that the working group set up for the purpose held extensive discussions on the issue last week. <br/>India and Canada earlier this year signed a memorandum of understanding that would allow Canada to play a role in India's planned building of 25-30 nuclear reactors.<br/>Mr. Harper, who reached on a four day official visit to India today held discussions with the captains of Industry in Mumbai. He said, other areas which will be high on the agenda of talks between the two Prime Ministers include enhancing trade, strengthening cooperation in science and technology besides, education, agriculture , mining and medical research. <br/>Mr. Prakash said that the trade between the two countries grew by 22 per cent in 2008 and there is enough scope to enhance the partnership in this area in the days to come. He said several pacts and agreements including bilateral investment promotion and social security agreements are likely to be signed to give a boost to the economic ties between the two countries. <br/>Official sources said that a joint working group may be announced to look into the prospects of a free trade area agreement and discussions on the agreement will start only after the joint working group gives its recommendations. Promotion of tourism, cooperation of bio-technology are some of the important areas where there is possibility of signing pacts and MoUs. <br/>AIR correspondent reports that Mr. Harper will call on the President and Vice President and exchange views with the External Affairs Minister Mr. S.M. Krishna on a host of issues to strengthen the bilateral cooperation. The UPA chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mr. L.K. Advani will also call on him. During his stay, he will also visit Akshardham temple in Delhi and Golden temple in Amritsar.
News On AIR | November 16, 2009 7:38 PM
Civil N-cooperation to top Canada-India PMs Meet on Tuesday