Canadian-Indian energy ties to deepen

OTTAWA, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- India and Canada are to boost bilateral trade and investment cooperation in many fields, including civilian nuclear cooperation.

The Press Trust of India reported Friday that India and Canada discussed deepening their bilateral collaboration at the sixth round of Annual Bilateral Trade Policy Consultations held in the capital Ottawa. An Indian High Commission spokesman commented, "Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar, who led a high-level Indian delegation comprising senior officers from the Department of Commerce, held discussions with Canadian Deputy Minister of International Trade Louis Levesque and senior officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). It was also agreed to have a time-bound action plan to further these objectives."

Khullar met with Canadian Minister of Industry Tony Clement, Minister of International Trade Stockwell Day and Deputy Minister for Natural Resources Cassie Doyle, as well as prominent businessmen, including prominent CEOs of Canadian companies including SNC Lavalin, Bombardier, AECL, Bennett and Jones and the Export Development Corp.

Both sides stressed their determination to expand bilateral Indian-Canadian trade from its 2008 level of $4.25 billion.