India has a population of approximately 1.17 billion people (estimate for July, 2009), 17.5% of the world's population with 2.4% of the world's land area. China's population at just over 1.3 billion (as of mid-2008), represents a full 20% of the world's population so one in every five people on the planet is a resident of China.

It is high time Canada recognised that these countries can no longer be ignored whatever the issues or problems Canada had over the years.

The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) says that India is set to overtake China as the world's most populous nation by 2050, while some countries will shrink by nearly 40%, the number of people on Earth will reach 9.3bn by 2050, compared with 6.3bn today. (see reference http://www.os-connect.com/pop/p2ai.htm )

At a joint press conference in New Delhi, India's Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh welcomed Mr Stephen Harper on a "a long overdue visit" to India as the Prime Minister of Canada, from November 15 to 17.

He said, "Relations between India and Canada are of long-standing nature.  They derive their strength from our shared values of democracy, respect for fundamental human rights, and multiculturalism.  Canada is host to a large Indian origin community of over one million.  This reflects the strong people-to-people links that exist between us and which have enriched our relationship."  

Emphasising that "bilateral relations have greatly strengthened" since Prime Minister Harper assumed office,  Singh added, "This is particularly true in the areas of trade and investment.  A large number of Indian corporate entities have invested in Canada and several Canadian enterprises have entered the Indian market.  There are, however, vast opportunities for doing much more.  There is a significant scope for greater investment by Canadian companies in the areas of high technology and infrastructure development, and enhancing cooperation in the areas of science and technology, agriculture, mining, natural resources, education and energy."

Referring to the memorandum of understanding that was signed on energy, Singh added it "will facilitate greater cooperation in this very vital area.  We look forward to cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy.  To further boost our trade, which is currently below $5 billion US, we have decided to set up a giant study group to examine the possibility of a bilateral, comprehensive economic partnership agreement."

Stephen Harper thanked "Prime Minister Singh and all Indians for being such gracious hosts". He added, "Visiting a country whose past has so greatly enriched our civilization and whose future stands to transform our world has been for me an extraordinary and invigorating experience". 

Harper recalled, "as Prime Minister Nehru noted to one of my predecessors, John Diefenbaker, it is a fundamental rule of life that if you give friendship, you get friendship in return.  Ladies and gentlemen, I have come to India with my hand extended in friendship, resolved to usher in an era of even stronger relations between our two great countries.  We have a solid foundation on which to build.  The bonds between Canada and India are strong and plentiful.  We are both democratic federal states that have forged cohesive societies out of ethnically, spiritually and linguistically diverse populations.  And we are both nations whose aspirations are being realized through the ingenuity and resiliency of our people, increasingly a population of shared origins." 

"Now is the time for our two countries to unite in common cause, to capitalize on our shared strengths, and to realize our full potential.  Today Prime Minister Singh and I are taking steps that will help us to do just that", he added.

“In making India a priority market, our government’s commitment is translating into collaboration and progress in a number of important areas.”

The visit resulted in two important deals "which would improve closer partnership between the two nations based on mutual trade and investment interest."

The two leaders witnessed the signing of two agreements by Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and Anand Sharma, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry.

The first deal will set up a free trade agreement between Canada and India. The second will establish a stronger cooperation in the energy sector.

The Memorandum of Understanding to launch a joint study group that would establish a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is expected to bring benefits to various sectors of the Canadian economy such as forest products, nickel, aircraft, electrical machinery fish and seafood products and agricultural products.

The Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation targets fostering increased cooperation on clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency, power generation, oil and gas exploration, research and development, energy policy and other areas of mutual interest.  It also will support key priorities for the Government of Canada in developing a clean energy economy and expanding international trade.

Harper said in a statement, “India’s rapid growing economy and its commitment to expand its investment regime will provide significant opportunities for investors in a variety of sectors, including infrastructure, education, life sciences, science and technology, and natural resources, among many others. In making India a priority market, our government’s commitment is translating into collaboration and progress in a number of important areas.”

Harper said Canadian firms have a lot of products and services for India’s consumer market of 1.2 billion people. “Economic partnership agreements in key sectors of interest will help expand trade, open doors for Canadian exporters, encourage economic growth and create jobs in both our countries,” Harper added.

Ramesh Chotai, Chair of Canada India Foundation (CIF), congratulating Harper on his successful visit to India said his visit to India has helped to strengthen bilateral trade between India and Canada in different sectors with mutual importance.

“We envisage that the two MOU’s regarding a comprehensive economic partnership and energy cooperation, that were signed by the two governments, will assist in advancing mutual engagement at both the bilateral and business to business levels,” Manoj Pundit, CIF spokesperson said.

Nuclear Trade Agreement

Harper and Singh, in Trinidad attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), announced on November 28, that India and Canada have concluded the negotiations on the nuclear deal after prolonged negotiations over the last few months. This paves the way for supply of Canadian atomic technology, equipment and uranium to New Delhi after a gap of 34 years. The deal is expected to be signed and implemented soon.

The two leaders described the development as a "milestone" opening up "tremendous opportunity" for their countries.