Ottawa, 26 Sep 2005
India's External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh arrived
here on Sunday for three days trip to improve business
bilateral ties within both countries. On Sep. 26,
he will discuss with his Canadian counterpart Pierre
Pettigrew to further strengthen and expand mutual
cooperation and strategic partnership between the
two countries.
Mr. Shyamala B Cowsik, High Commissioner of India
will host a luncheon in honor of Singh which will
be attended by several senior Canadian dignitaries,
including cabinet ministers and parliamentarians.
Pettigrew will also host a banquet in honor of Singh
in Montreal.
Natwar Singh is scheduled to address a gathering
of foreign policy experts organized by the Canadian
Institute of International Affairs and McGill University.
Natwar Singh said that NRIs have produced top scientists,
academics, doctors, and businessmen. The NRI has also
produced a Provincial Premier of British Columbia,
Cabinet Ministers and members of Provincial Assemblies
in several provinces.Ujjal Dosanjh, Canada's health
minister, is a shining example of the immigrant success
story. Dosanjh accompanied Canadian Prime Minister
Paul Martin to India early this year. During Martin's
visit, the two countries discussed closer cooperation
trade, science and technology and health care.
In his three days trip, Natwar Singh will visit Ottawa,
Montreal and stopover in Toronto.
In 2004-2005, India exported to Canada $816.16 million
and imports $738.47. Trade surplus is $77.69 million
NRIs in Canada, today over a million and makes 3%
of the Canadian population.
