The Hindu : Canada for expanding economic ties with India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 14, 2004

International

International - India & World

Canada for expanding economic ties with India

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

OTTAWA, MARCH 13. At a time when the industrialised world is looking intensively at the emerging markets, say that of India, China or Brazil, Canada wants to make sure that it is not left behind.

With a two-way trade of 2.2 billion in Canadian dollars, officials, business houses and the Indian Canadian diaspora are looking at ways to give a new momentum and thrust to the economic relationship that would lead to a positive fallout in other areas of bilateral relations.

At a Focus India meeting here, the exchanges reflected not only a heightened interest in seeking out the "New India" but also in going about it with new approaches. The bottom line was that Canada had to be a "stakeholder" in the newly-emerging India.

It has been pointed out here and in other provinces that Canada has a distinctive style of operating in the international arena and that in spite of all its achievements in science, technology and engineering, there is an element of "shyness" when it comes to promoting or showcasing Canada.

This has been explained as the Canadian way of showing respect to the culture and heritage of other countries. But if the gloves are going to be taken off now, it is not going to come about in a brash fashion.

Canada will be aggressively pursuing markets in India by allocating more resources. It will also use the high-profile Indian diaspora, which has been a tremendous asset to this country and plays a leading political role.

The Minister of State for International Trade, Gar Knutson, said that Canada would take advantage of what it had going in other countries — say China — when it came to exploring the Indian market. "We are not going to win every time... but we are going to come up with our share."

While there is hardly any scepticism about the reforms process in India, some would like to see "faster" movement in areas such as agriculture. "But no country changes overnight," Mr. Knutson said. "Countries were entitled to go about things at their pace.''

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International