By IANS,
New Delhi : Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper Tuesday called on President Pranab Mukherjee here and held wide-ranging discussions on issues between the two countries.
Mukherjee said that India and Canada share fundamental values as two inclusive democracies wedded to federalism, pluralism, individual liberty and human rights.
He expressed happiness that Canada is home to 1.5 million people of Indian origin and invited Canada to partner in India’s development, especially in the fields of energy, mineral resources, infrastructure and food security.
“The president (Mukherjee) said there is need to encourage more investment in both directions, from Canada in India’s infrastructure, and from India in Canada’s resources sector,” said a communique from Rashtrapati Bhavan.
“India imports 40 percent of its pulses and 25 percent of its potash requirements from Canada. With India’s large and growing population, food security in the coming years is a strategic imperative for India and Canada can be an important partner in this regard,” Mukherjee said.
Harper welcomed Mukherjee’s views and said there is need to focus on few areas and deepen engagement between the two countries.