New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed on Wednesday to revive stopped business interviews between the two countries. Both leaders first met since Carney took up the recent Canadian elections.
The meeting, which took place on the edge of the G7 summit in Cananasis, Alberta, meant a step towards repairing a relationship that has seen a diplomatic cold for several months.
Both parties emphasized the need to continue the negotiations on the Term Agreement (EPTA) agreements (EPTA) and submit it forward in order to conclude a wider comprehensive agreement on economic partnership (CEPA), according to the press note issued by the Prime Minister (PMO).
Modi and Carney reaffirmed their commitment to shared democratic values and sovereignty and agreed to restore normal diplomatic presence, including the early return of high commissioners to the capitals of the other, according to PMO statements.
They also emphasized the need to restart higher ministerial and work obligations to build trust and dynamics, PMO said in a statement.
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The leaders discussed the expansion of cooperation in areas such as pure energy, critical minerals, LNG, artificial intelligence, university education, food security, mobility and digital transformation. Both leaders repeated the support of free and open indo-pacific and acknowledged the progress made in G7 on global issues, including climate measures and sustainable growth.
In 2023, India-Canada continued sharply after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the killing of the Khalistan separatist. India rejected the accusation as politically motivated and excluded Canadian diplomats, which caused mutual action from Ottawa.
Bilateral ties stiffened, business conversations were suspended and Visa services were briefly suspended. The recent meeting between Prime Minister Modi and the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney signals the first steps to thaw a tense relationship. In a separate joint press briefing with President Cyprus, Prime Minister Modi, he drew the parallels between the Indian “Viksit Bharat 2047” visions and Cyprus 2035, “and called on five -year grates.
Both countries have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the defensive industry, launched dialogues on cyber and maritime security, and created a real -time information mechanism to combat terrorism and cross -border crime.
Also read: PM modi urges states to unlock growth, use FTA to manage Indian development
Fta-eui
Meanwhile in a common press briefing with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoules Modi reiterated that India-Eu FTA would be closed by the end of this year. During his Cypriot visit on 16 June before the G7 summit, he made a similar statement.
Cyprus also confirmed its support for the Indian offer for permanent membership in the UN Security Council and agreed to strengthen cooperation in defense, cybernetics and maritime security and created a mechanism for sharing intelligence in real time to face terrorism, drug trafficking and arms smuggling.
Modi said that initiatives such as India-Cyprus-Greece Commercial and Investment Council and a new agreement on mobility and interconnection of aviation would help to deepen the economic links with the Mediterranean area.
Read also: Us-china trade war blows hot and cold for India
(Tagstotranslate) Prime Minister Modi (T) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (T) Business Interviews (T) Agreement on Trade Agreements Early Progress (T) Comprehensive Agreement on Economic Partnership
