Canadian Defence Minister Wraps up Visit to India

From: National Defence

News Release

April 24, 2017, Mumbai, India — National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces 

Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan has completed a six-day visit to India focussed on areas of mutual importance such as defence, innovation, conflict prevention, diversity, and trade. 

This opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations included productive meetings with his defence counterpart, Minister of Finance, Defence and Corporate Affairs, Arun Jaitley, the Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, and other Indian officials. It was a chance for leadership from both countries to commit to continue working to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual importance, such as security and defence. 

Canada and India have longstanding bilateral relations, built upon traditions of democracy, pluralism and strong interpersonal connections underpinned by an Indian diaspora of more than one million in Canada.  This visit reaffirmed an understanding that collaboration among partners and allies is crucial to strengthen global peace and security, and that a security environment increasingly threatened by issues such as terrorism, interstate rivalries, and arms proliferation requires international cooperation. 

Minister Sajjan’s time in India included visits to New Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Mumbai. He delivered a keynote address on Conflict Prevention and Peacekeeping in a Changing World at the Observer Research Foundation; met with several key business leaders on trade and innovation; visited the New Delhi Commonwealth War Cemetery for a Wreath Laying ceremony; and reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to support equality for all by visiting organizations focused on increasing opportunities for women, girls and at-risk populations.

Quotes

“Canada and India have had good defence relationships in the past, and this trip has been an important opportunity to discuss ways on how we can move forward. We have solidified our commitment to working together in order to strengthen our ability to protect our shared security, as well as uphold and promote democratic values. My first time returning to India as Canada’s Defence Minister has proven to be mutually beneficial not just in areas of security and defence, but in innovation as well as business and trade.” 

Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan

Quick Facts

  • Canada’s relationships with its Asia-Pacific neighbours are economically important and central to its security and prosperity.

  • Canada and India have long standing bilateral relations, built upon shared traditions of democracy.

  • Canada and India have a long history of people-to-people connections with over one million people of Indian origin living in Canada.  This makes Canada home to one of the largest Indian communities in the world.

Contacts

Jordan Owens
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100 

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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