NEWS RELEASES
September 26, 2005 (11:45 a.m. EDT)
No. 171
CANADA ANNOUNCES NEW AREAS OF COOPERATION WITH INDIA
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today met with Indian External Affairs Minister
K. Natwar Singh. The two discussed relations between Canada and India and agreed
on new areas for cooperation.
“I welcome Foreign Minister Singh’s visit and the occasion to advance the already
dynamic partnership between Canada and India,” said Minister Pettigrew. “India is a
global power and an important partner with whom we are building an intense, broad and
enduring relationship.”
The two ministers reviewed progress in meeting the commitments outlined in the Joint
Declaration agreed to by Prime Ministers Paul Martin and Manmohan Singh during the
visit of Prime Minister Martin to India in January 2005. They noted that advances have
been made in all of the key areas of the Joint Declaration: a science and technology
initiative, environmental cooperation, a partnership for prosperity, people-to-people links
between Canada and India, and foreign policy issues.
The two ministers also discussed important regional and international security issues,
including Afghanistan, South Asia, non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament,
and counterterrorism. They agreed to maintain an ongoing discussion on these issues,
including through the high-level strategic issues dialogue launched earlier this year.
They indicated that Canada and India will continue their counterterrorism collaboration
and announced that the two countries will work toward jointly hosting a workshop on
financial remittance systems and terrorism to be held in 2006. The two ministers also
agreed to explore ways to enhance energy relations between Canada and India.
Minister Pettigrew welcomed India’s support of international nuclear non-proliferation
norms and noted its interest in international cooperation in civilian nuclear energy. To
this end, the two ministers agreed on the following measures:
• agreement by India to Canada’s proposal for nuclear safety collaboration and
agreement by both governments to develop a mutually beneficial bilateral
framework;
• support by both governments for scientific and technical contacts on a broader
range of civilian nuclear issues within the public domain;
• agreement by Canada to allow the supply of nuclear-related dual-use items to
Indian civilian nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency
safeguards, in accordance with the requirements of the Nuclear Suppliers
Group’s dual-use guidelines; and
• agreement by both governments to pursue further opportunities for the
development of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy both bilaterally and through
the appropriate international forums, consistent with their international
commitments.
Both ministers reaffirmed the importance of deepening people-to-people and academic
linkages between the two countries. Minister Pettigrew confirmed Canada’s ongoing
support for the work of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, which promotes, among
other things, innovative science and technology partnering between Canadian and
Indian member universities.
The two ministers agreed that continued high-level engagement is essential to building
the partnership. In this regard, Minister Pettigrew welcomed Minister Singh’s
confirmation that Indian Prime Minister Singh will visit Canada in 2006.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
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