The Hindu : Ottawa for a 'new era' in ties with New Delhi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 22, 2003

International

International - India & World

Ottawa for a 'new era' in ties with New Delhi

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

OTTAWA OCT. 21. The expectations are clear in that when the Canadian Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, arrives in New Delhi for talks with the Indian leadership, the two countries are looking at the beginning of yet another phase of the bilateral relationship having successfully concluded the first-phase of the re-engagement process that was put in place two years ago.

The refrain here is that the re-engagement phase, starting 2001, has "gone well" and now is the time to get more intense with the relationship on different fronts. In many ways Mr. Chretien's visit is seen here as the "culmination" of the re-engagement policy; and a desire by Ottawa for a "new era" in its relations with New Delhi. The fact that Mr. Chretien will be stepping down early next year seems to hardly matter for what is being stressed is government-to-government relations.

The centrepiece of Mr. Chretien's visit is his meeting with the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, when the two leaders will focus on bilateral relations with a "vision" for the future. Global and security issues are expected to figure at the meeting. Mr. Chretien is expected to bring to-date the review and the developments at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum meeting, and his visits to Afghanistan and China. The Canadian Prime Minister could also be touching on the Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf's recent trip to Ottawa.

The "vision" for the future, in the perspective of Canada, is enhanced Government-to-Government contacts and an effective interaction between the private sectors of the two countries.

Economic dimension

A crucial part of Mr. Chretien's visit — that will also take him to Chandigarh to witness the formal upgrading of the Canadian Mission there to a Consulate-General and to Amristar — is the economic dimension. Official Canadian statistics have it that in 2002, India's exports to the country was nearly C$ 1.33 billions; and imports from Canada was C$ 656 millions. Although no formal treaties are on the cards, the visiting leader will be witnessing a number of agreements/understandings reached by the private sectors of the two countries.

Ottawa, it is being pointed out here, has made it very clear that it considers New Delhi as one of the top economies and is keen on furthering trade and investments, not only bilaterally, but also keeping India in the context of South Asia and the larger Asia Pacific.

Among other things at the event with business leaders on October 24, Mr. Chretien will point to the fact of Air Canada establishing direct air links with India.

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Ottawa for a 'new era' in ties with New Delhi