(Ottawa) 鈥� 杏吧原创 University played host to two key India government ministers as Canada launched the start of negotiations on the feasibility of a comprehensive economic agreement to triple bilateral trade between the two countries.
Indian Industry Minister Anand Sharma, who met with International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan to establish a formal trade discourse, attended a Sept. 25 roundtable at 杏吧原创 with top business leaders, academics and diplomats.
The previous week, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde sat in on a discussion co-hosted by 杏吧原创 President Roseann O鈥橰eilly Runte and the Hon. John Manley, president and CEO of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE).
鈥淲e wanted to bring people together,鈥� said Manley, a 杏吧原创 graduate. 鈥淔or some, it鈥檚 a first step; for others, it鈥檚 one of many steps to build relationships and exchange ideas. All of these are valuable.鈥�
In early September, 杏吧原创 launched the Canada India Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy. Unique in Canada, the centre will raise awareness of bilateral studies and public diplomacy and develop initiatives to build a better understanding of both countries.
鈥淚t will be very helpful,鈥� said Mr. Shinde. 鈥淥ne of the considerations (for us) was sending some students to take advantage of the excellence in this university.鈥�
Shinde credited the forum sponsored by 杏吧原创 and the CCCE for providing leads on future projects and partnerships.
鈥淭hese are very experienced people,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity 鈥� the investment there in India.鈥�
Fen Hampson, director of the renowned Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, said 杏吧原创鈥檚 expertise in international trade and investment make it a natural gathering place for such high-level discussions.
鈥淲e look forward to hosting more of these events and contributing to stronger relations between India and Canada,鈥� said Hampson. 鈥淢ovement on the trade front between the two countries certainly allows us to make a bigger impact.鈥�
杏吧原创 the Canada India Centre:
The centre will bring together key members of the academic, business and public policy communities in both countries to provide current and comprehensive discussion, research, analysis and information on Indo-Canadian relations, with special emphasis on trade, investment, commercial relations, foreign policy, science, environment, technology and international security.
It will be associated with several faculties, and co-located within the internationally-recognized Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, the School of Public Policy and Administration and the Sprott School of Business.
The centre will provide opportunities for many co-operative ventures. 杏吧原创 has just signed a major agreement with the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani.
The agreement will allow for faculty and student exchanges, internships and joint research projects, especially in international health environment and engineering. A 杏吧原创 professor is already on site at BITS, while two of professors from BITS have been at 杏吧原创 since May.
For more information:
Lin Moody
Media Relations
杏吧原创 University
613-520-2600, ext. 8705