By IANS,
New Delhi : Setting the stage for an acceleration of bilateral ties, the prime ministers of India and Canada Tuesday will discuss ways to fast-track the civil nuclear deal and explore ways to expand economic ties and counter-terror cooperation.
Accompanied by a large business delegation and three cabinet ministers, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper began his six-day visit to India Sunday by visiting Agra, home to the iconic Taj Mahal.
Besides New Delhi, Harper will also go to Bangalore and Chandigarh.
In New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold wide-ranging talks with Harper Tuesday evening aimed at intensifying bilateral relations across a wide swathe of areas. Some agreements are also expected to be signed after the talks.
Fast-tracking the 2010 India-Canada nuclear deal will be among important issues on the agenda. The two prime ministers are expected to give a political push to the nuclear deal, well-placed sources said here.
The two sides will be looking to spur negotiations for the India-specific safeguards agreement that is required to implement the nuclear deal. The safeguards agreement will require deft negotiations as it will have to be within the purview of the International Atomic Energy Agency and Indian and Canadian laws.
Expanding cooperation in diverse areas, ranging from counter-terrorism to trade, agriculture, energy and natural resources, will also be high on the agenda.
Amid reports of renewed activities of Khalistan activists in Canada, India will also be airing its concerns anew.
India will be looking to tap Canada’s expertise in innovative and high-tech agriculture and will also be seeking to intensify cooperation in the area of hydrocarbons.
India and Canada are negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to take their economic ties to the next level. The next round of negotiations will be held in Canada mid-November.
Bilateral trade between the two countries is currently estimated to be $5 billion. Indian investments in Canada are steadily growing and are estimated to be over $10 billion.