NEW DELHI: India and Canada took a major step forward to normalise their relationship as foreign minister S Jaishankar and his counterpart, Anita Anand, announced Monday a roadmap comprising a slew of initiatives to boost cooperation while underlining the significance of a law enforcement dialogue in addressing each other’s security concerns.In a rare India-Canada joint statement, the ministers sought constructive and balanced partnership grounded in respect for each other’s concerns and sensitivities and growing economic complementarities.Anand, who is travelling to Mumbai as well during her first visit to India as foreign minister, was welcomed by PM Modi for a meeting as the bilateral relationship continues to thaw. PM Modi recalled his “extremely productive” huddle with counterpart Mark Carney on the margins of the G7 summit in Canada in June. “Discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in trade, technology, energy, agriculture and people-topeople exchanges for mutual growth and prosperity (with Anand),” PM Modi posted on X.Taking our job to protect diplomats seriously: AnandCanada is taking every step to ensure the security of its citizens on its soil, foreign minister Anita Anand said when asked about India’s concerns regarding the activities of Khalistan separatists and its seeking the return of individuals it designates as terrorists. On the safety of foreign diplomats, she said Ottawa takes its job of protecting them “very very seriously”.On the progress of a probe into the murder of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, she said, “Canadians have the right to feel safe and secure in our country, and that’s the purpose of the law enforcement dialogue (with India).” New Delhi, Ottawa strengthen missions to boost biz & tradePM Modi said he was looking forward to his upcoming engagements with Carney. The Canadian PM has been invited by India for the AI summit it will host next year.As both sides look to fend off possible damages from US tariff policies, they announced in the statement commencement, at an early date, of ministerial-level discussions on bilateral trade and investment “informed by today’s economic realities and each country’s strategic priorities”. While both sides have expressed interest in resuming talks for a trade deal, they will likely have to wait for a meeting of the trade ministers to move forward on it.There was focus on security as well in the joint statement, titled ‘Renewing Momentum Towards a Stronger Partnership’, as both sides, based on mutual respect for shared democratic values, the rule of law and a commitment to upholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity reached consensus on the roadmap. Jaishankar described the recent meeting between the two sides to enhance cooperation as positive.“India-Canada bilateral relations have been steadily progressing in the last few months. We are working to restore and reinvigorate the mechanisms necessary to advance our partnership,” said Jaishankar, adding that India sees in Canada a complementary economy, open society, diversity & pluralism.The ministers recognised that in the context of ongoing global economic uncertainty and rising geopolitical tensions, a strong and resilient India-Canada bilateral relationship is essential, according to the statement. “Reviving this partnership will not only create opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation but also help mitigate vulnerabilities arising from shifting global alliances, ensure more reliable supply chains, and reinforce strategic stability in an increasingly complex international environment,” it said.There was focus also on how Canada’s mining expertise can provide India with critical minerals needed for energy security and both sides welcomed ongoing talks in civil nuclear cooperation.To facilitate business and people-to-people contacts, India and Canada also agreed to increase the strength of the respective missions, saying institutional capacity will be strengthened by progressively deploying expertise in the economic, political, defence and technology domains. “These efforts will contribute to rebuilding trust and deepening cooperation between the two countries,” said the ministers.Looking to tap growing opportunities in goods, services and investment, both sides agreed to resume the Canada–India CEO Forum. Both countries said the forum will bring together leading business executives from both countries to identify “concrete, actionable recommendations” to facilitate increased bilateral trade and investments. The forum will focus on opportunities in clean technology, infrastructure, agri-food, and digital innovation. Go to Source
