Parliamentary Secretary Sidhu engages business leaders in India on Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
News release
February 28, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Maninder Sidhu, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, is in India to engage with business leaders and civil society partners on strengthening ties between Canada and India under Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
In Mumbai, Parliamentary Secretary Sidhu is putting Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy into action and has met with business leaders, start-ups and industry associations to promote Canada’s interests in the region. He is also meeting with Canadian businesses that are leading Canadian investment in India and building on long-standing Canada-India ties. These meetings include engagements with British Columbia’s Forestry Innovation Investment and the Indo-Canadian Business Council.
The Parliamentary Secretary also held discussions with representatives of the Canada-India Gateway House and the Mann Deshi Foundation as part of Canada’s commitment to supporting a more secure, inclusive and sustainable Indo-Pacific region.
In Delhi until March 4, 2023, Parliamentary Secretary Sidhu will join Minister Joly as she attends the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, with Canada supporting India’s G20 presidency. He will also lead a round table with UN agencies to discuss advancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Canada and India through Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. He will also join Minister Joly at the Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier conference on contemporary global challenges.
Quotes
“Canada and India have a rich history built on close people-to-people ties and a joint interest in deepening our trade and investment relationship. Through this strong bilateral relationship and under Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, we are unlocking new opportunities for economic advancement and prosperity.”
- Maninder Sidhu, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
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The deep people-to-people connections between Canada and India are at the heart of our relationship. As of 2021, there were an estimated 1.3 million Canadians of Indian ethnic or cultural origin in Canada, and India is the primary source of immigrants to Canada.
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In 2022, India was Canada’s 10th-largest merchandise trade partner (total trade), and the relationship has been steadily growing. The stock of two-way foreign direct investment between Canada and India amounted to $4.6 billion (total book value) in 2021, with Canadian direct investment in India standing at $2.9 billion (total book value). In addition, Canadian portfolio and institutional investment into India reached $70 billion.
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The Indo-Pacific is Canada’s second-largest merchandise export market, after the United States, with annual 2-way trade valued at $266 billion in 2022.
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The G20 is the primary forum for international economic cooperation among its members. G20 members are the world's major economies and represent all inhabited continents. According to the International Monetary Fund in 2022, G20 members accounted for over 80 per cent of world GDP, roughly 75 per cent of global trade, and over 60 per cent of the world's population.
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Held annually since 2016, the Raisina Dialogue is India’s premier conference on geoeconomics and geopolitics; and brings together government officials, business leaders, media and civil society to discuss the most challenging issues facing the global community.
Associated links
Contacts
Adrien Blanchard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Adrien.Blanchard@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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