Canada, India to Hold Bilateral Talks During Modi's Visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Canada's Stephen Harper during his visit to Canada. The two sides will hold comprehensive bilateral talks to discuss the issues of trade, investment and security.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — The first state visit to Canada in over four decades by an Indian prime minister will entail a comprehensive discussion of bilateral relations between the two Commonwealth nations, the Canadian high commissioner to India told Sputnik on Thursday.

"The visit will provide a good opportunity to discuss various issues related to the India-Canada bilateral engagements that include bilateral trade, investment opportunity [and] security issues," Patel told Sputnik, regarding Narendra Modi's upcoming itinerary.

During his visit to Canada, Modi is expected to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The two will discuss additional areas of cooperation, including trade, investment, science, technology, defense and energy, Patel noted.

"Further, we are exploring the areas in which Canada can directly cooperate with the Indian government such as the concept of smart cities and Modi's concept of 'Make in India'."

Indira Gandhi was the last sitting Indian prime minister to visit Canada in June 1973.

Modi embarked on a three-nation state visit on Thursday and is scheduled to meet French and German leaders before traveling to Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver April 14-16.