NEWS RELEASES
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON RE-ENGAGEMENT WITH INDIA
March 20, 2001 (1:15 p.m. EST) No. 35
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON RE-ENGAGEMENT WITH
INDIA
John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced today that the Government of Canada will pursue the broadest
possible political and economic relationship with India. Canada will encourage bilateral ministerial visits, resume full
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) programming in India, including industrial co-operation, and provide
support to culture and sports.
Canada will continue to build on the strong historical relationship it enjoys with India. Both countries work together in the
Commonwealth, the United Nations and World Trade Organization on a number of multilateral issues ranging from
peacekeeping to trade and development. As well, Canada benefits from a large and vibrant Indo-Canadian community,
which has contributed to its cultural fabric and acted as a catalyst for bilateral trade. Canada is encouraged by India's
economic reform efforts and the results that it has achieved. The Government of Canada will continue to seek new
commercial opportunities in India's evolving business environment, particularly in the information technology sector.
In making this announcement, Mr. Manley stressed that Canada's deep concern about the dangerous trend toward nuclear
proliferation in South Asia remains undiminished and its policy unchanged. Canada continues to call on India to renounce
its nuclear weapons program, to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state.
The Minister noted that Canada is encouraged by the Indian government's unilateral moratorium on further nuclear testing
and its efforts to forge a domestic consensus in favour of signing the CTBT. India has also shown restraint along the line of
control (LOC) dividing the disputed territory of Kashmir and has extended its unilateral cease-fire on shelling across the
LOC. Mr. Manley commended the restraint shown by Pakistan on the sensitive issue of Kashmir, while stressing that
Canada's relations with each country are pursued on their respective merits.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sanjeev Chowdhury
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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