Canada and India broaden strategic Partnership

June 27, 2010

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, today witnessed the signing of a nuclear cooperation agreement and memoranda of understanding (MOU) on cultural cooperation, higher education and earth sciences and mining.  They also welcomed the conclusion of a Canada-India joint study that lays the groundwork for bilateral free trade negotiations.

"Our two countries are laying the foundation to take relations to the next level motivated by our close friendship and complementary economies,” said Prime Minister Harper following bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Singh.  “The initiatives signed today confirm that we are serious about expanding our relationship.”
 
The two leaders welcomed the conclusion of the report of the Joint Study Group on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.  They also noted that the recommendations in the report would be examined by both countries, and necessary processes to obtain approvals will be initiated immediately and will aim to be completed by late October.
 
The bilateral agreements and MOUs signed today reflect increased and broadened collaboration between the two countries.  They are:

• A nuclear cooperation agreement which will provide access for Canada's nuclear industry to India's expanding nuclear market.
• An MOU on higher education which will encourage the continued development of synergies between Canadian and Indian post-secondary institutions.
• An MOU on earth sciences and mining which will foster improved dialogue on mining and related activities, including bilateral investment.
• An MOU on cultural cooperation which will facilitate bilateral cultural initiatives, aid in the creation of economic opportunities for both Canada and India, and help showcase Canadian cultural content in India, and Indian cultural content in Canada.

The two leaders also issued a joint statement outlining a number of areas of cooperation in the bilateral relationship.


Backgrounder
Nuclear Cooperation Agreement
 
The aim of the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA) with India is to create an enabling environment that will permit members of Canada's nuclear industry to cooperate with designated civilian nuclear installations under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards in India. NCAs provide international treaty level assurances that nuclear material, equipment and technology originating in Canada will only be used for civilian, peaceful and non-explosive purposes by partner countries. The NCA will provide access for members of Canada's nuclear industry to India's expanding nuclear market and facilitate the exploration of joint ventures.

Joint Study on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

India is projected to be the world’s third largest economy by 2050 and is a priority market for Canada.  With a view to enhancing bilateral engagement, Canada and India agreed to initiate exploratory discussions toward a comprehensive economic partnership agreement during a visit to India in January 2009 by Canada’s Minister of International Trade.  In November 2009, Prime Minister Harper and Prime Minister Singh established a Joint Study Group comprising Canadian and Indian officials to examine the feasibility of such an agreement.  The Government of Canada, with the publication of a notice in the Canada Gazette on March 8, 2009, held initial public consultations to obtain the advice and views of Canadians regarding this initiative.  The Joint Study Group completed its work in June 2010.   

Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will facilitate the development of bilateral private and public sector cultural initiatives and aid in the creation of economic opportunities for artists and the cultural industry in both Canada and India.  It will also help to showcase Canadian cultural content in India, and Indian cultural content in Canada, thereby fostering an enhanced understanding of the rich culture and heritage of both countries.
 
Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Higher Education

This MOU builds on the November 2009 Canada-India Joint Statement, in which Prime Minister Harper and Prime Minister Singh recognized education as an area of new momentum.  It aims to encourage the continued development of contacts and cooperation between institutions of higher education, based on each country’s academic, scientific and education needs.  The MOU will encourage such activities as:  exchanges of undergraduate, graduate and vocational students and post-doctoral fellows; short-term awards for faculty and graduate student research and curriculum development; doctoral studies at Canadian and Indian universities; academic mobility in support of the objectives of the 2005 Canada-India Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation; as well as the joint organization of workshops, seminars and other activities. 
 
Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Earth Sciences and Mining 


This MOU will help to further cement strong relations in science and technology cooperation in the areas of earth sciences and mining.  This MOU builds on previous bilateral cooperation in geosciences, primarily in the areas of landslides and the analysis of arsenic contamination in groundwater.  It will foster improved dialogue on mining and related activities, including bilateral investment.